Need for greater electrical safety in Private Rented Sector

A safety lobby group is urging the government to introduce mandatory five-yearly safety checks of electrical installations and appliances in the private rented sector (PRS). Electrical Safety First (ESF) – the charity formerly known as the Electrical Safety Council - believes a UK wide requirement for such safety checks in all private rented homes would reduce confusion around best practice and provide a degree of parity with gas safety, which landlords must check every year.

The group believes all electrical appliances also need to be tested as it estimates they cause around 17,000 domestic fires each year and result in 40-45 deaths in Britain. In addition to the human tragedy, there is a significant financial cost, as it’s estimated that the average cost of a domestic fire is more than £44.5K.

“Our research shows that 3 in 10 landlords, and 40 per cent of renters, do not know who is responsible for the electrical safety of their home. Other research has indicated that 16 per cent of PRS tenants live in homes containing electrical hazards” says ESF director general Phil Buckle.

Housing Rights Service supports the view that mandatory electrical checks, mains smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are required to improve safety for all tenants in the private rented sector.  Peter O’Neill, Policy and Participation Officer said: “This is particularly relevant in shared housing where there is more intensive use of electrical equipment, with each tenant perhaps having use of multiple electrical appliances. Landlords should make sure that the safety and well-being of their tenants is not compromised through defective electrical wiring or appliances by having regular inspections carried out by a competent electrician.”

In Northern Ireland electrical equipment in furnished privately rented housing, which is hired as part of the tenancy agreement, is subject to the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994. These regulations require that electrical equipment must be safe to use and would apply, for example to bedside lamps, televisions, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, portable electrical fires, etc.

The Department for Social Development is planning to review standards in the PRS in 2015/16.