The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) have highlighted some confusion over electrical safety between PRS Landlords and tenants in private rented sector properties.
30% of landlords did not realise that they were responsible for the electrical safety within their Buy-To-Let properties, according to the ESC’s survey. This potentially could lead to very dangerous consequences for both landlords and tenants. If a landlord is found to be negligent over electrical safety they could be liable for a fine of up to £5,000 (GBP). The ESC found that 38% of landlords were not aware of any penalty for failing to maintain an adequate level of electrical safety within their rental properties. Ensuring that all the electrical devices in the rental property are safe and fit for purpose may also incur financial expense at the start of a tenancy, but what price can you put on someone’s life? Landlords should carry out basic visual checks to ensure that the installation has no obvious hazards, including broken accessories (such as sockets and light switches), signs of scorching around sockets due to overloading, damaged cables to portable equipment or trailing cables/flexes. As a landlord you are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that the appliances you provide for a tenant’s use are safe. To find out more information on this subject call 01303 647221.