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Landlord Electrical Safety Inspections & Certificates

Landlords Responsibility for Electrical Safety in Wales.


Landlords and owner-occupiers have a legal obligation to ensure electrical safety checks are carried out and that all appliances and fittings are working properly.

Whether you own or rent your home, there are some steps which you should always take to keep your home safe. Always use a professional registered engineer.

What are my responsibilities if I own my home?

If you own your home, it is recommended that you:

1). Arrange for an electrical inspection to be carried out every ten years by a professionally qualified electrical engineer.

2). Look out for electrical faults and make sure all electrical equipment in your home is maintained. Should you need to repair do not do DIY and always have your appliances checked, repaired and installed by a qualified electrician. Attempting to do it yourself may make you house, and content insurance null and void should there be a fire.

3) You could even be prosecuted if a fire broke out because of a fault that was not maintained or repaired properly.

4), Always use an electrician who is registered with a Government-approved scheme and can issue a certificate to prove that the work has been done properly and is safe.

What responsibilities do I have if I rent my home?

If you rent your home, you should:

Look out for danger signs and make sure all electrical equipment in your home is maintained and used properly.

Do not use equipment or appliances that you think may be unsafe. If your landlord supplied the faulty equipment, report the disrepair to them and allow your landlord and/or an electrical contractor access to your home to carry out inspections and repairs.

Your landlord should give you 24 hours’ notice before coming to your home (unless it is an emergency).

You are also responsible for the condition and safety of any electrical appliances that you bought to the property yourself.

If you are in any doubt about the safety of an appliance, get it tested or replaced.

What responsibilities do landlords have?

Your landlord is required by law to ensure:

 

1)   That the electrical installation in the property is safe to use when your tenancy begins.

2)   That the electrical installation is maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.

3)   You must ensure that any appliance provided is safe and has at least the CE marking (which is the manufacturer’s claim that it meets all the requirements of European law).

4)   If you live in a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), have the electrics checked every five years.

5)   To meet these requirements a landlord will need to regularly carry out basic safety checks to ensure that the electrical installation and appliances are safe and working.

6)   In addition, Rent Smart Wales recommends that a periodic inspection and test is carried out on all rented properties by a registered electrician at least every five years, and before any new tenant moves in.

7)   If your landlord has done this, a copy of the inspection report (known as a periodic inspection report) should be made available to you and if the appliances have been checked then each electrical appliance in the property should have a PAT (portable appliance test) sticker on the plug showing the date it was tested.


Where can I find out more?

 

In Wales, all landlords and agents of domestic tenancies (including assured shorthold tenancies) must be registered and/or licensed with Rent Smart Wales. To keep and obtain a licence, a landlord must keep to certain rules and recommendations – including electrical safety. If you are concerned about the electrics in your home and you have reported them to your landlord, but nothing has been done, then you can:

 

1)   Report the matter to Rent Smart Wales who will investigate your claim.

2)   Contact your local council’s environmental health department who can ensure your landlord is meeting the required legal obligations. whom may take enforcement action against your landlord if he/she is not abiding by the regulations..

3)   Call out a registered electrical engineer to perform the repair and then invoice your landlord (Do keep a copy of all repairs carried out by a qualified electrical engineer).



For More Information Visit: https://www.rentsmart.gov.wales/en/home

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