A new study by the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) paints a woeful picture of the state of electrical safety in rented accommodations.
The survey reveals that UK landlords are risking the lives of millions of private tenants, and risking serious financial penalties for themselves, by not taking their electrical safety obligations seriously enough.
The research found:
- 1.7 million private renters report electrical faults that are ignored or acted on too late by landlords
- 1.3 million private renters are currently waiting for their landlord to resolve an electrical issue
- More than 2 million private tenants have expressed concern about the electrical safety of their home
- Private tenants are more likely to be affected by electrical accidents and fires than homeowners
- Half of all landlords and tenants admit they are unsure who is responsible for electrical safety in private, rented accommodation
- The maximum fine for landlords has increased from GB pound 5,000 (US$6,644) to GB pound 20,000 (US$26,578), but one-fifth of landlords are not even aware that fines exist for electrical safety failings
- Many landlords do not know their insurance could be invalidated by failing to maintain electrical safety in their properties.
According to the ESC, electrical accidents cause more than 350,000 serious injuries each year, and are responsible for more than half of all accidental house fires. However, tenants are most at risk — they are more likely to receive a serious electric shock than homeowners, and are up to seven times more likely to experience a house fire.
By law, landlords must ensure electrical installations and wiring are maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy. The ESC recommends landlords should have electrical appliances and installations checked at least every five years by a registered electrician, along with carrying out regular visual checks themselves. It points out that 80 percent of local authorities are planning to crack down on landlords who fail to keep up safety standards.
According to the Government’s guide to private renting, landlords must:
- Keep their tenanted properties safe and free from health hazards
- Ensure the electrical system, such as sockets and light fittings, is safe
- Ensure all appliances they supply, such as cookers and kettles, are safe
- Follow fire safety regulations
- Make sure tenants have access to escape routes
- Ensure furniture and furnishings they supply are fire safe
- Provide fire alarms and extinguishers.
A free guide for both landlords and tenants on electrical safety is available here.
The government has also announced that an additional GB pound 3m (US$3.9m) fund will be made available for councils to crack down on unscrupulous landlords, whose buildings often represent a greater fire risk.
Related posts:
- Customers Still at Risk From Faulty Electrical Products
- Changes to Fire Reporting Requirements: RIDDOR 2013
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