Essential safety checks in your home

We have a legal duty to protect the safety of you, your family and your neighbours by ensuring our housing stock is safe.

As part of this, it is recommended that the electrical installation in a domestic tenanted home is inspected and tested at least every five years.

Under UK law, only a certified electrician can carry out a check for an electrical safety certificate.

What does an electrical inspection involve?

During the inspection, the electrical contractor will:

• check for potential electrical-shock risks
• check for electrical-fire hazards
• make sure your electrical circuits and equipment are not overloaded
• make sure all the wiring is safe up to, and including, sockets, switches and lights
• carry out any remedial works needed to bring your property up to the satisfactory standard

All tenants are lettered, in advance, with appointments for electrical safety inspections to be carried out. If the date is unsuitable, it is essential that you make contact to rearrange to a more suitable time. 

Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions which are in place, we will ask if you or anyone in the property have symptoms of Covid-19 or are you awaiting a test or test results for Covid-19, prior to service/inspection taking place. While the operative is within the property please ensure you follow the social distancing rules in place and remain in another room while the operative is on site (where appropriate).

Remedial electrical works - why do I need remedial electrical work done?

You might require some remedial work to ensure that the electrical systems are safe to use and obtain a satisfactory test certificate. It is of the utmost importance that these works are undertaken to ensure the safety and security of you, your family and your neighbours. 

Most remedial work will involve changing a faulty socket or switch or an alteration at the consumer unit.

What are the danger signs?

You can also look out for possible danger signs and report these to our repairs service at any time. These include:

• plugs or wall sockets that are overheating, or are scorched or cracked
• cables or wires that are loose, exposed or fraying
• a burning smell from appliances
• fuses that blow frequently
• circuit breakers/RCDs tripping or fuses that blow frequently

How can I minimise the risks?

There are several things you can do to minimise risks of electrical shocks or fires in your home. For example:

• Make sure cables from electrical appliances (including extension cables) do not run underneath carpets or rugs.
• Do not overload wall sockets. If you need to use an adaptor, use a multi-socket trailing adaptor, not a multi-way adaptor that plugs straight into the socket.
• If you need to use an extension cable, do not use a longer one than you need. Do not keep extension cables coiled, as this can cause them to overheat.
• Do not exceed the recommended bulb wattage for light fittings.

How can an electrical inspection save you money?

Having an electrical test and inspection identifies faults. It could be, for example, that you have an overloaded circuit, or a piece of equipment that is overheating and is therefore wasting energy and costing you money.

Saving money and doing your bit for the environment

Testing can also make recommendations for energy-efficiency improvements. This could include LED lighting that can add up to significant savings. In addition to cutting costs, reducing energy consumption is a great way of reducing your carbon footprint.

What to do in an emergency

• turn off the electrical supply
• Within office hours, contact the Repairs Centre on 0303 123 1010
• Outwith office hours contact the Emergency Number on 0800 242024

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