THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (SAFETY REGULATIONS)

The Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations and the Plugs and Sockets Safety Regulations require that all electrical appliances supplied must be safe. This will include an appropriately fixed and fitted plug on the appliance. The equipment should either have instructions shown on the appliance or should have an instruction book supplied.

Unlike the Gas Safety Regulations there is no legal requirement to have the electrical appliances checked on an annual basis. However, in order to comply with the regulations it is imperative that the Landlord has appropriate checks and safe guards carried out.

What are the legal requirements?

   1. All the appliances supplied in a property after 1st January 1997 must be marked with the appropriate CE symbol.
   2. Safety – all electrical appliances must be safe. This applies to items of both alternate and direct current which means the Landlord will have to ensure that such appliances as kettles, toasters, irons and television sets are safe as well as fixed appliances such as electric cookers and immersion heaters. Safety includes the lead.
   3. Instruction books – manufactures’ instruction manuals should be provided for each appliance supplied at the premises. The instructions can either be shown on the appliance, or an instruction book can be supplied. This will help to ensure the safety of the tenant.
   4. Plugs – all plugs must have a safety sheath, be fitted with the correct fuse and appropriately fitted and fixed to the appliance.

What happens if I fail to comply?

The maximum penalty for non-compliance with the regulations £5,000.00 and /or three months imprisonment if there is a risk of fire to the property or injury or death to an animal. If the risk is to the life of a human being, the penalty may be up to twelve months imprisonment.

What should be tested?

The Landlord should have all portable and fixed electrical appliances at the property tested. The regulations apply to any electrical equipment between 50 and 1000 volts A.C and 75 and 1500 Volts D.C. This will include:

    * Kettle
    * Toaster
    * Iron
    * Television Set
    * Electrical Cooker
    * Immersion Heater
    * Wall mounted Electric Heaters

The Landlord also has a statutory duty to maintain the mains wiring to the property. It is recommended that the mains wiring is checked prior to the initial tenancy and again at least every five years in a domestic environment.

What should I do?

The Landlord should arrange to have a safety check carried out by a suitably qualified tradesperson prior to the commencement of the first tenancy and annually thereafter. Fixed installations should also be checked for safety prior to a tenancy commencing and then at five to ten yearly intervals thereafter.

Records should be kept of all appliances tested and checks carried out. Any remedial work carried out to appliances should also be noted.

Leads on appliances such as irons, toasters and kettles should be checked regularly as worn or frayed leads can be dangerous. Any defective lead should be replaced immediately, or the appliance should be renewed.

All electrical appliances must be supplied with a correctly fused plug fitted to it.

The plugs should be tested prior to the commencement of a tenancy to ensure that no dangerous fuses have been used during the period of the tenancy.
Instruction books should be supplied for all electrical appliances at the premises if the instructions are not already shown on the appliance.