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Landlords: What Are Your Electrical Responsibilities?
Anyone who thinks being a landlord is easy money has probably never been one. From sorting contracts and chasing payments, to fixing busted boilers and keeping abreast of new legislation, a whole lot of work goes into looking after a let property, especially if you’re not working with a management agency.
Amidst all the other tasks on your “to do” list, keeping an eye on your electrics can easily get lost in the fray, but ensuring you’re meeting your electrical responsibilities is a crucial component of managing a property. Failure to maintain electrics to the required standard could result in substantial fines, endangering your tenants and invalidating your insurance.
So what do you need to do to ensure your electrics are kept in proper working order?
An Electrical Checklist for Landlords
To help you stay safe and compliant, we’ve put together a quick checklist of your legal obligations as a landlord:
- Install and maintain all electrics to a safe standard
This is written into the Landlord & Tenants Act 1985 and means that you are responsible for any and all electrical installations and repairs, which must be completed to a good, safe standard.
- Carry out periodic inspections in HMOs
Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 covers the need for landlords with Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to regularly inspect the water supply, drainage, gas and electricity to ensure safety.
- Have electrical work completed by a Government-approved scheme registered electrician
This will ensure you are compliant with Part P of the 2005 Building Regulations. An approved electrician will make certain work is carried out safely and to a high standard.
- Ensure all appliances have a CE mark
This is the minimum level of safety an appliance should carry, the mark indicates the appliance meets European safety regulations.
How to Take Care of Your Electrics
From making sure you only work with registered electricians, to regularly inspecting HMOs, keeping up with your wires, plugs and appliances may sound like a big job, but working with the right electrician can make all the difference.
At AA Electrical, we offer a wide range of services designed to support landlords, which we can offer on a one-off or ongoing basis. Whether you need an electrical inspection of commercial premises or a domestic property, you can depend on our teams across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk to keep you compliant.
We work closely with landlords across the region, helping them keep up with regulations and ensuring electrical safety for everything from sockets to showers. We’re also on hand for 24-hour emergency callouts.
