Learning the perils of being a landlord
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There are more than a million private landlords in the UK and they are being joined by a new breed of landlord, as owners who need to move on are choosing to rent out their existing home rather than sell at a knock-down price.
Typically these landlords are also tenants in someone else's property, which gives them a unique perspective on the health and safety issues that go hand in hand with property rental.
Electrical safety is one of the landlord's most important responsibilities, which first time landlords overlook at their peril, as unsafe electrics cause around 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths each year.
Rental properties are potentially more at risk than owner-occupied homes, not only because they get more wear and tear, but because tenants may carry out electrical work without the knowledge of the landlord.
The work may not comply with national safety standards or building regulations, and leave an accident waiting to happen.
Landlords can end up in court if a tenant is injured by an unsafe appliance or fitting that they have provided, as they are legally responsible for maintaining and checking electrical installations such as fire alarm systems, wiring, lighting and sockets as well as appliances supplied, including kettles, televisions, microwaves and washing machines.
To protect themselves and their tenants, landlords should put into practice a regular property maintenance and appliance testing procedure.
It should include an annual inspection by a government approved electrician, such as one registered with the regulatory body, the NICEIC.
Jim Speirs, its executive chairman, said: "NICEIC strongly advises landlords to have annual checks of both fixed installations and portable appliances on rented property."
NICEIC has produced a free factsheet to guide landlords through the electrical safety laws, with a handy checklist of things to do to protect both their property and their tenants.
To download the factsheet for landlords or to find an NICEIC registered electrician in your area, visit www.findanelectrician.info or call 0870 013 0382.
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