Electrical Safety Certificate

We provide Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate Services in London.

Electrical Safety Certificate is a detailed document showing the condition of the property’s current fixed electrical installations provided after a complete electrical safety test is done which includes visual inspection and electrical testing released or created by a qualified engineer registered with NAPIT, NICEIC or ECA. Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate plays a crucial role in significantly reducing the risks associated with electrical hazards and incidents that could potentially endanger lives and property.

Electrical Safety Certificate Cost

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate Cost depends on the number of bedrooms and number of fuse boxes in a property. Below is a simple cost table:

Below prices are all tax inclusive

Studio Flat £79
1-2 bedrooms £99
3-4 bedrooms £119
5-6 bedrooms £149

Legal and Standard Requirements for a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate

Landlord electrical safety certificate is an important and legal requirement for all Landlords in England (as per the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020). It is not only a legal requirement for all the Landlords but it’s also a standard practice to ensure the safety of tenants.

Often the electrical issues are those which we cannot visually identify because most of the time it seems that a property’s electrical installation is fine but that’s not always the case. Conducting proper on time electrical safety test is very crucial for the occupants to find out if there are any issues or not to make sure the safety. Otherwise, the danger can create severe consequences.

A timely electrical safety test can save you from any big losses. It can make us detect the issues in the early stages so we can resolve the issue on time. A qualified electrician can identify the issues, which can be unnoticed by a landlord or tenant like damaged cables or wires, faulty connections, overloaded breakers or earthing issues. Following are the issues that seem to be minor but can create serious electrical safety complications:

1) Old Age Electrical Installation

Electrical Installations deteriorate with the passage of time and can be found in older properties designed for old age appliances which can’t support the requirements of modern devices resulting in tripping the breakers and overloaded circuits lacking the efficiency and safety of the electrical system. Old style fuse boxes or consumer units are commonly found in older properties having no RCD (residual current device) protection. Short circuits and fires are caused by low insulation resistance of the wiring which is normally found in older properties.

Such systems require complete electrical safety testing to find out the outdated and faulty electrical installations and require upgrades to meet the current British standards 7671 to make sure the safety of occupants.

2) Wet Areas Around Electrical Systems

Damp or moist areas around the fusebox or consumer unit can cause serious complications. As water is a good conductor of electricity, if it comes in contact with any electrical system or bare wire it can cause short circuits, fire or can also electrocute a human. It can be due to any leakage in water pipes, leaking in roofs or windows, faulty plumbing or damaged drainage systems.

3) Overload Breakers or Circuits

Overloaded circuits can be risky. It is a situation when more power is drawn from a circuit than it is designed to handle. It can be due to multiple connections of appliances from a single breaker or circuit.

It can not only overheat or damage your wiring but can also damage your appliances by subjecting them to unstable power levels. Overheating can cause burning of wires, melting the insulation and can also cause fire.

4) Exposed Wires or Loose Connections

When exposed or bare wires come in contact, it can cause electrical shocks, nerve damage and other fatal injuries. They can create sparks which increase the risks of electrical fires, especially when they come in contact with any flammable materials. Your appliances can also be damaged due to voltage fluctuations and power surges.

Why Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate is Important

In the UK, electrical safety test certificate is designed to ensure that the rental property is safe to use and compliant with the regulatory standards. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all the Landlords are required to ensure the safety of their tenants from any fire hazards caused by electrical issues. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require the landlords to conduct timely electrical safety testing and inspection. Non-Compliance can result in heavy fines upto £30000 and legal consequences. In addition to these penalties, it will also be difficult to attract tenants in future as well.

Validity Period of Electrical Safety Certificate

The validity of an electrical safety certificate typically ranges from 1 to 5 years, and this duration majorly depends on the specific condition of fixed electrical installations in a property. The validity of the report is primarily influenced by the number of observations categorized as C1, C2, C3 and FI. If the report contains C1, C2, and FI observations, it will be deemed unsatisfactory immediately, and it is crucial that you address and resolve these issues as soon as possible to ensure safety and compliance. On the other hand, if there is only a C3 observation, the report will be considered satisfactory; however, the validity still depends on the number of C3 observations present. The greater the number of C3 observations, the shorter the validity period will be.

Factors Influencing the Validity of Electrical Certificate

Condition of the electrical system:

A report may suggest a shorter inspection interval if the installations are older or show signs of wear and tear. It is important to note that approximately 25% of electrical installations in UK homes are over 30 years old, which significantly increases their likelihood of failure.

Usage of the Property:

In high-use or high-risk environments, such as wet areas and public spaces, it is essential to conduct more frequent inspections and checks. This is necessary to ensure the highest levels of safety and compliance with regulations.

Standards Compliance:

The latest electrical regulations BS 7671, may necessitate an earlier inspection if there is any non-compliance detected. The 18th Edition of BS 7671, which was published in 2018, introduced several important rules, including the requirement for mandatory surge protection. This new requirement means that older reports for properties that need upgrades may no longer be considered valid.

Conditions in which Electrical Certificate is required

It is absolutely essential to provide a valid Electrical Safety Certificate to tenants at the beginning of their tenancy or within 28 days following the inspection. In the event that the electrical inspection reveals unsatisfactory results, it becomes your responsibility to complete the necessary remedial work within that 28 days timeframe and subsequently provide the tenants with a satisfactory Certificate.

Additionally, it is crucial to promptly address any issues categorized as Code C1 (indicating immediate danger), Code C2 (indicating potential danger), or FI (Further Investigation) without delay to ensure full compliance with safety regulations and to protect the well-being of all occupants.

A new Electrical Safety Certificate must be conducted when the validity of the previous report comes to an end, which is typically every 1 to 5 years, to ensure ongoing safety and compliance with the latest standards.

Whenever new circuits or systems are installed, obtaining an Electrical Safety Certificate is essential to ensure that the work complies with current safety standards and regulations, thereby safeguarding the property and its tenants.

Impact of Landlords Electrical Certificate on Tenant's Safety

On time electrical inspections can help to cover all hidden problems of electrical systems that can lead to huge future disasters. As a landlord, having an Electrical Certificate shows your responsibility towards tenants’ safety and compliance, which also helps to foster trust, good relations and enhance your reputation. Regular inspections can also help the landlords to plan maintenance proactively, that avoids any sudden expense and disruptions caused by any emergency electrical damage.

Regular electrical inspections can make the tenants feel safe and when tenants feel safe, they are more likely to renew the leases. So, on time inspections can be a good investment in long term occupancy and stable rental income for the landlords.

On Time Electrical Safety Test Certificate

Carrying out on time electrical safety testing and inspection is extremely important. There are multiple cases recorded in the UK, that were caused due to the delayed electrical inspections. These incidents highlight the critical importance of on-time inspections to prevent any electrical danger like fire, electric shocks or electrocution.

1) In 2017, the Grenfell Tower Fire in London took the lives of 72 people and many of the people got severe injuries. While doing the investigation, that cause of the fire was determined to be related to a faulty fridge freezer. Later, it was revealed that the electrical systems and wiring of the building were outdated. There were serious issues in the electrical systems that were being ignored for so long which contributed to the severity of this disaster.

2) A few years back, a residential tower block in London caught fire and tragically led to the deaths of six people. The fire arose due to the faulty electrical wiring. The circuits were overloaded that played a key role in spreading rapid fire. This incident happens due to delayed electrical inspections and inadequate maintenance of the building’s electrical system.

3) In 2019, a tenant was severely electrocuted by an electrical fault in his rental property in Bristol. The reason was the delayed Electrical inspection from years and the wiring was found to be dangerously outdated.

There are hundreds of examples where delayed inspections have caused severe incidents. That is the reason why it becomes a legal requirement.

Electrical Safety Checklist for Landlords

Electrical Safety Checklist consist of all visual checks by following which you can save the occupants from major potential electrical threats e.g. fire in your property, electrical shock and future costly electrical repairs. This process involves marking the checklist to record the essential safety information about the electrical condition of property. Download the electrical safety check list

Fusebox (Consumer Unit)

– Fusebox fitted properly
– No blanks missing in the Fusebox. Empty space in the Fusebox without blank can cause an electric shock.
– Fusebox cover is in place and not damaged because a damaged, broken or cracked cover may cause an electric chock or fire

RCD (Residual Current Device) Testing

– RCD installed in your Fusebox and tripping the electricity. To check the tripping press the Test or T button. RCD saves you from electrical shocks caused by earthing errors.

Combustible Materials

– Fusebox is not surrounded by combustible material (paint, cleaning liquid or newspaper)

Sockets, Lighting and Switches

– Sockets, lights and switches are properly fitted, not loose, not broken or cracked and are in good condition.
– No blackening marks to make sure sockets are not overheating
– Sockets are not plugged in with too many appliances causing overload by using inappropriate adaptors and extension leads
– Flexible cables are in safe position where they can’t suffer damage (e.g. under carpets or rugs, passing through door/window opening)

Electrical Appliances

– Appliances covers are not broken, damaged or cracked which may led to a shock or fire risk
– Flexible cables are not showing any signs of deterioration and are in proper condition
– Flexible cables are not loose and firmly attached to the appliance and plug

DIY - "Do it Yourself" Electrical Work

Majority of the people accept that they feel to do any electrical repair work by themself before calling in a professional which may result in severe electric shock, fires at home, severe injuries and costing expensive repairs later on.

50% of the electric shocks in UK are caused doing the work by yourself. A layman or basic person do several mistakes while carrying out the electrical repairs by himself. Common mistakes are cutting through power leads, drilling into wiring and fixing the electrical items ignoring they are still switched on. Never try DIY rewiring a house, consumer unit replacement or electrical repairs and installation. Always hire a professional. Contact London Property Inspections for electrical remedial work