WHAT ARE LANDLORDS’ LEGAL RESPONSIBILITES REGARDING ‘PERIODIC INSPECTION REPORTS’ OR ‘LANDLORD ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATES’?

We often find that there is some confusion amongst our landlord clients regarding legislation relating to their electrical safety responsibilities. Unlike gas regulations, there is currently no law that says you must have a ‘Landlord Electrical Certificate’, however, and this is very important, should any electrical fittings or appliances within your rental property cause harm to a tenant YOU COULD BE HELD LIABLE.

Landlords do have a legal obligation

Failure to comply with Electrical Regulations that require an electrical safety check prior to a tenancy may constitute a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987. This Legislation means that landlords have a legal obligation and a duty of care to tenants to ensure that the electrical installation and the electrical equipment supplied is safe. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations have been mandatory since 1st January 1997.

Ensure all electrical appliances are safe with a PAT test from SOR electrical

They regulations state that all electrical appliances in rented accommodation must be safe. This applies to both new and second-hand appliances and covers all electrical items supplied to the tenant. The regulations also cover fixed appliances such as cookers. The only method of ensuring that these appliances are safe is to have them tested by a qualified electrician using the portable appliance testing equipment, known as a (PAT) test; a service which we offer all our landlord clients at SOR Electrical.

There can be serious consequences!

Failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations and the Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence and may result in:

• A fine of £5,000 per item not complying
• Six month’s imprisonment
• Possible manslaughter charges in the event of deaths
• The Tenant may also sue you for civil damages
• Your property insurance may be invalidated

There are around 30 deaths and 4,000 accidents annually in the UK involving electrics.

So don’t think it can’t happen in your properties. An Electrical Safety Inspection from SOR Electrical by one of our fully qualified electricians can also include electrical appliances and the PAT test (Portable Appliance Testing), which should be done at the start of any tenancy to ensure due diligence, and compliance with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations. At SOR Electrical ensuring your peace of mind and the safety of your tenants is our priority.

For further information about Periodic electrical inspection, Landlord electrical certificates and PAT testing, see our services page.