As a landlord, you have a duty to prevent harm to your tenants from electrical appliances that you supply. Portable appliance testing is widely regarded as being the best way of complying with this obligation. Without a programme of planned appliance testing and maintenance, you could be legally liable for damages resulting from your untested appliances. This covers all portable appliances that you supply, including fridges, freezers, toasters, kettles, televisions, vacuum cleaners etc.
There are two main Acts of Parliament that impose a statutory duty on landlords with respect to the safety of electrical equipment:
1. The Consumer Protection Act 1987
2. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Some of the specific regulations that are applicable to electrical installations include:
Regulation 3(1b) of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 states:
"Every employer shall make a
suitable and sufficient assessment of: the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking"
Regulation 3 of the Electricity at Work Regulations states:
"It shall be the
duty of every employer and self-employed person to comply with the provisions of these Regulations in so far as they relate to matters within his control."
Regulation 4(2) of the Electricity at Work Regulations states:
"As may be necessary to prevent danger, all
When do landlords need to complete an electrical inspection?
A regular inspection programme is an essential part of any maintenance system. For this reason, and to provide a demonstration of due diligence, 3-Step Safety Check recommends an annual safety inspection of all residential lets.
Landlord PRICING
£30 per property for up to 15 appliances. If over 15 appliances £2.50 per appliance. Discounts for multiple propeties in local area. Mileage applicable for properties outside 15 mile radius and for those with multiple properties accruing more than 15 miles (total journey from 1st to last house) in total will also incur a mileage charge.
[electrical] systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger."In summary, a landlord has duties both as a 'supplier of goods' and as the 'person responsible' for an electrical installation. As a 'supplier of goods' he must ensure that goods are checked before the tenant takes them over and as a 'person responsible' he must ensure an adequate system of maintenance.
Why do landlords need to complete an electrical inspection?