Mandatory electrical checks proposed for private housing

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee has recommended that private sector landlords be required to undertake a mandatory five-yearly check of electrical installations in their properties.

The recommendation is detailed in the just-released CLG Select Committee report into England’s private rented sector (PRS).

It calls on government to introduce a requirement for a competent person to comprehensively review installations every five years, with a visual check being undertaken on change of tenancy. To achieve this, it asks government to liaise with the electrical industry to establish suitable certification.

“We are delighted that the committee has made this recommendation,” said ESC director general Phil Buckle. “We have, for some time now, been lobbying hard for such mandatory regulation in the PRS.

“The government’s own data shows that 21 per cent of England’s PRS contains category 1 hazards – the most dangerous risk to health and safety under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System.

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