The Importance of Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector

With homeownership now a distant dream for many adults, the private rental sector in the UK is thriving. Renting from the private sector can be a mixed bag. Fortunately, there is legislation in place that compels private landlords to maintain certain standards. Few of these are more important than electrical safety standards.

What Responsibilities Do Landlords Have?

Landlords are legally required to obtain an electrical safety certificate. The electrical certificate for landlords certifies that the electric installation in a rented property has passed a safety inspection. You can apply for a Landlord Electrical Certificate online for as little as £99. The website electricalsafetycertificate.co.uk has all the information that you need about applying for a certificate. They are fully accredited, as per UK law, to conduct safety checks on electrical installations in rented properties.

You should always make renters aware of the certificate and its purpose. Offer to show them your safety certificate instead of waiting to be asked. Legally, you are required to produce the document on the tenant’s request.

Why Do These Standards Matter?

We are lucky to live in a country that enforces strict safety standards for the electrics in our home. The consequences of unsafe electronics can be catastrophic. A faulty appliance caused the tragedy that unfolded at Grenfell Tower. Failings in safety standards exacerbated it. The new regulations are there to help.

Some people make a point of switching their appliances off at the mains socket every night. This behaviour is good practice, but it is still the exception and not the rule. Most of us leave some of our devices plugged into the mains, whether on standby or to charge their battery. Most modern tech businesses build their electronics to a high standard. If whoever built your property wired it up correctly, there will be safety mechanisms in place to protect you and your property in the event of a power surge.

How Can Landlords Keep Their Properties Safe?

Faulty electronics and bad wiring can pose a serious threat to both people and property. While it is clearly in the interests of landlords to ensure that their properties are safe, many felt that wasn’t happening. Hence, the new regulations, which came into force in June 2020.

In addition to ensuring that the property is safe and obtaining the required documentation, landlords can also protect themselves and their properties by encouraging good habits from their tenants. If you are willing to invest in a smart plug or a mains adapter that tenants can control remotely, you will make it easy for tenants to switch off entirely at night. If you also explain to them that there are financial benefits to them doing so, their bills will be lower. It shouldn’t be a tough sell.

It is the landlord’s responsibility to adhere to all of the relevant safety regulations. Landlords shouldn’t wait for their tenants to request information. It is much more prudent to go through safety documentation with them and advise them on how they can ensure that they and the property remain safe.

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act-lessees can control their own destiny

Matthew Pennycock, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has made a Parliamentary Statement regarding the future progress of the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024. The Government have formally recognised the “significant complexity of the task” and that the legislation was rushed in at the end of the last parliament and as a result…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 22/11/24

The current average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property is £225,340. For someone taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% LTV mortgage, the average monthly mortgage repayment on this type of home is now £1,104 per month if repaying over 25 years, compared with £1,138 per month a year ago (when the average first-time buyer property asking price was…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Architecture Of Attention Behind Social Media Addiction

In the digital age, social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Behind their sleek interfaces lies a sophisticated architecture of persuasive technology.  These platforms employ intricate design patterns and technical elements to capture and hold user attention. From subtle visual cues to complex algorithmic systems, every feature serves a calculated…
Read More
Breaking News

2025 Predictions for the Private Rental Sector

Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “As we approach 2025, the lettings industry is entering a phase marked by stabilisation and opportunity. Rental inflation has slowed to an average of 3-4% for new lets, reflecting the effects of affordability constraints; renters’ budgets are beginning to limit how much rents can rise.…
Read More
Breaking News

Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on Leasehold Reform

Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Essential Garage Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Maximize your garage space with practical storage ideas that keep your items organized and accessible. If you’re dealing with a smaller garage, smart solutions can make a big difference in keeping your space neat and usable. 1.  Wall-Mounted Storage Wall-mounted storage is an excellent way to save space and keep your garage organized, especially in…
Read More