Electrical Certificates for Landlords: Your Legal Obligations

154
Electrical Certificates for Landlords

As a landlord in the UK, you have certain legal obligations regarding electrical safety. Unlike a gas inspection, you are not legally required to check the safety of your electrical installation or appliances every year. However, if you are renting a property, you are required to ensure that the electrical installation is safe. The legal obligations are set out in the Landlords and Tenants Act 1985 and the General Landlords Act.

You must check the electrical installations for safety at the start of the tenancy and maintain them in a safe condition throughout the tenancy. You are legally responsible for faulty lights, sockets, etc., and for any appliances you provide (e.g. household appliances).

All electrical circuits must be fitted with circuit breakers and sockets must comply with BS1363. It is also advisable to check that your electrical installation complies with the latest regulations.

For homes with more than one occupant, there is also a legal requirement to carry out an annual fire risk assessment, which also takes into account the risk of fire in electrical installations.

You can carry out a visual check yourself, but it is better to ask an electrician to look for errors. And carry out any necessary maintenance work. Since 2005, electrical work in garages, outbuildings, and sheds must comply with Part P of the building code.

This means that even do-it-yourself work must either (a) be performed by a state-licensed electrician. Or (b) be checked for compliance by the appropriate local authority.

Failure to comply

Failure to comply with the rules relating to electrical installations and appliances may result in criminal prosecution under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 and the Electrical Appliances Safety Rules 1994.

This can result in a fine of £5,000 and/or six months imprisonment for any dangerous appliance found to be in breach. In addition, it may invalidate your property insurance.

If a letting agent is responsible for finding a tenant but does not also provide maintenance and management. You as the landlord are personally liable for any damage caused by the tenant. This means that you will be held accountable in court and may be charged with manslaughter. Visit here also: landlord certificates

Even if you have taken all reasonable steps to ensure safety. You will have to provide evidence in the event of a health and safety incident. For this reason, it is best to have a qualified electrician perform an inspection.

Generally, as a homeowner, you are not required to have a qualified electrician check the electricity. However, you are legally required to ensure that the electricity is safe and secure. And should have it inspected regularly by a qualified electrician.

For reading more:

Top 5 Construction Companies of Lahore for Smaller Properties