If you are a landlord, you need to be sure that the electrics in your property or properties are safe. That’s the law. Dozens of people die and thousands are injured every year through unsafe electrics.
If you let property, take note of these statistics – rented properties are potentially more at risk than owner-occupier homes as they tend to get more wear and tear.
Identifying faulty electrical installations can be
difficult. Especially in rented properties as tenants
may have carried out electrical work themselves
without requesting permission or notifying their
landlord. An 
accident could be waiting to happen,
and the electrical installation in one of your houses
or flats may not comply with national safety
standards and Building Regulations.
Part P of the Building Regulations
Part P of the Building Regulations for England and Wales was introduced by the government in January 2005, with an aim of reducing the number of accidents in the home related to faulty electrical installations. Similar laws apply in Scotland. It is now a legal requirement for electricians, kitchen, bathroom and gas installers, and all other trades or individuals involved in carrying out domestic electrical installation work to comply with Building Regulations.
Most electrical installations carried out in a property are now notifiable: in other words the local authority building control must be notified prior to the work being carried out. The exception is if it is carried out, inspected and certified by a person registered with a government-authorised competent person scheme such as NICEIC. Failure to comply with Part P is a criminal offence and local authorities have the power to require the removal or alteration of work that does not comply with the regulations.
To read the full factsheet please download the PDF.
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