Mandatory electrical safety checks excluded.
Mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector have been left out of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Housing standards review: technical consultation.
This comes somewhat as a surprise as the DCLG have taken positive action on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms, making them mandatory for all properties in this sector. It has been reported that a recent survey by the NAPIT Trade Association found that over 90% of respondents agreed that electrical safety checks in the private rented sector should be mandatory every five years or more frequently.
NAPIT Trade Association chairman Frank Bertie made a very important point in his response to the decision,“The Government needs to be tough on fire prevention as well as fire detection to properly ensure the safety of tenants in this sector.” At present mandatory electrical tests are required for HMO properties only.