Landlord fined over £4000 for electrical safety breaches

Introduced in June 2021 the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 has been successful at prosecuting many private landlords by local authorities.

The regulations were brought in to combat rogue landlords who often left their tenants in danger. The regulations require a safety check to be carried out every five years and a copy be provided to their tenant and local authority if requested.

Landlords of privately rented accommodation must:

• Ensure national standards for electrical safety are met. These are set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671.
• Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at an interval of at least every 5 years.
• Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises.
• Supply a copy of this report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
• Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
• Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
• Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
• Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.

A freedom of information request submitted by Electrical Safety First (ESF) to local authorities in England revealed a total of 8,863 electrical faults from those authorities who responded to the request. Faults included severe hazards classed as ‘C1 – Danger Present’ indicating an immediate risk the second category of hazards known as ‘C2 – potential hazard’ indicate there is a ‘potential danger’.

Hazards discovered include exposed wires, badly damaged plug sockets and severe overheating of wires that if left undetected would leave the occupants at risk from electric shock and fire.

Wil-Lec GRP Ltd managing director Steve Wilson said “It is essential landlords get their property electrics checked not just to comply with legislation but to protect both tenants and property from the risk of electrical fires.”

Councils are now taking action for landlords not complying with the law. One such incident in Liverpool saw the prosecution of a private landlord by Liverpool City Council following not only a lack of smoke alarms but also electrical plug sockets hanging from the walls leaving exposed wiring. The landlord was fined more than £4000, the maximum penalty for breaching the regulations are £30,000.

Wil-Lec GRP Ltd is registered with NICEIC and employs competent and qualified electricians that have been adequately assessed to carry out periodic inspection and testing as laid out by the regulations. To book your electrical test and inspection you can contact us here or call us on 01472 241881.