Being a Landlord is not getting any easier with all the new rules and regulations. This blog isn’t designed to tell you what you should or shouldn’t be doing. It’s aim is to give you a little bit of guidance from an NICEIC registered electrician on a few checks you or your tenants can do around your property. These can improve safety and perhaps even detect small problems before they become big ones.
- Make sure a Residual Current Device is fitted to power circuits. Test it by pressing the test button
- Keep appliances you have supplied as the landlord to a minimum.
- Make sure appliances supplied by you are in good condition and in working order – keep purchase receipts. PAT test at the recommended intervals.
- Pay particular attention to second hand equipment – always have these items checked.
- Ensure that operating instructions and safety warning notices are supplied with all appliances.
- Ensure that flexes are in good order and properly attached to appliances and plugs. Ensure that earth bonding to the gas and water supply pipes is in place. Ensure that plugs are of an approved type with sleeved live and neutral pins.
- Ensure that plugs and sockets conform to BS1363 or BS1363/A for heavy duty uses.
- Ensure that all fuses are of the correct type and rating.
- Make sure that tenants know the location of and have access to the main consumer unit, MCB’s RCD’s and isolator switch.
- Make a note of all fuse ratings on the inventory
- Check light switches and plug socket fascia for wear and tear, cracks etc
- Check light fittings for signs of heat damage (discolouration, cracking)
- Check the smoke/heat alarms are in date and working
- Ideally, ensure that the electrical system complies with the latest wiring regulations. This can be ascertained with an EICR (electrical installation condition report) This should be conducted at least every 5 years and a copy given to the tenant.
If you need a hand or have any electrical problems then give your local electrician a call on 01733 698151 or email info@mdselementor.brilliant.digital
