New tougher electrical safety standards to protect private tenants

[stu007]

New tougher electrical safety standards to protect private tenants

 

Recommended new safety measures to better protect private tenants have been published for consultation.

 

Recommended new safety measures to better protect private tenants by reducing the risk of electric shocks or fires caused by electrical faults were published for consultation today (17 February 2018) by Housing Minister Heather Wheeler.

 

Five yearly mandatory electrical installation safety checks for all private rented properties and safety certificates for tenants, to prove checks and repair work have been completed, are part of a package of independent recommendations to improve safety.

 

The government is also consulting on how best to enforce the strengthened safety regime along with whether landlords who do not comply should face tough penalties of up to £30,000.

 

READ MORE HERE: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-tougher-electrical-safety-standards-to-protect-private-tenants

[king12345]

Most of the proposals are already in place.

5 years inspection and smoke alarms on every floor for example.

The only new thing i see is the punitive actions which can only be a good thing if it saves life.

To be honest, i have seen rented places with wiring that would make a 1960 electrician concerned.

No change for normal landlords who already have their electrical system checked and approved every 5 years.

One thing that could go a step better is to have all appliances supplied by LL PAT tested which is not required now.

[ericsbrother]

PAT testing is basically useless under this sort of circumstance as anything hard wired like an oven or the boiler will already be covered by current regs and portable items are not going to be supplied by LL anywhere other then a HMO and even then it is not going to solve any problems as things like washing machines and fridges dont burst into flames because of electrical problems but from a build up of dust in heaters. compressors etc. Simplest thing is RCD and most modern properties have that already and a checklist for tenants that include cleaning filters etc as well as cutting the grass outside