As a commercial landlord, you have many responsibilities when it comes to the upkeep and maintenance of your property. One of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of commercial property management is electrical safety.
From ensuring that your tenants have proper access to outlets and light fixtures to making sure that your wiring is up to code, there are a lot of things to keep track of. To help you stay on top of your electrical responsibilities, we’ve put together a list of the most important things to keep in mind.
The Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) stipulates that landlords must ensure that their properties are safe and fit for human habitation. This includes ensuring that all electrical wiring is up to code and that there are no potential hazards.
Electrical Safety for Tenants
One of your most important responsibilities as a commercial landlord is to ensure that your tenants have safe and reliable access to electricity. This means making sure that all outlets and light fixtures are functioning properly and that there are no exposed wires or other potential hazards.
You should also have an experienced electrician check your property regularly to ensure that everything is up to code.
Keeping Your Wiring Up-To-Date
Another crucial responsibility when it comes to electrical safety is making sure that your wiring is up-to-date. Outdated wiring can be a fire hazard, so it’s important to have it inspected and replaced as needed.
If you’re not sure whether or not your wiring needs to be updated, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and consult with a professional electrician.
Ensure you have an up to date EICR
An EICR is a report that assesses the overall condition of the electrical installation at a property. The report will identify any observed damage, deterioration, defects, and safety issues. It’s important to have an EICR because it can help prevent electrical hazards, which can lead to fires or equipment failures.
EICRs are typically carried out by a qualified electrician. The electrician will carry out some tests on the electrical installation and then provide a report with their findings. The report will include recommendations for any corrective action that needs to be taken.
It’s important to note that an EICR is different from an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). An EIC is issued after the electrical installation has been installed or altered, and it confirms that the work has been carried out to the required standards. An EICR is carried out periodically to assess the condition of an existing electrical installation.
Electrical Safety Inspections in London and Essex
As a commercial landlord, electrical safety should be one of your top priorities. From making sure that all outlets and light fixtures are in good working order to keeping your wiring up-to-date, there are a lot of different aspects to keep track of.
At Con-Fused, we offer electrical inspections and EICRs to commercial landlords of properties in and around London and Essex.
Our qualified electricians will carry out a thorough inspection of your property, checking for any potential hazards. We will then provide you with a detailed report, outlining any work that needs to be carried out.
Electrical Safety Inspections Checklist
To help reduce the risk of an electrical emergency, it is important to have a well-maintained electrical system. Here are some of our landlord top tips:
- Have a licensed electrician inspect your property on a regular basis
- Don’t allow your tenants to make their own repairs
- Ensure that all electrical outlets are in good condition
- Do not overload circuits
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to help prevent shock hazards
- Make sure all exit signs and emergency lighting are working
Following these tips will ensure that you create a safe environment for your tenants and minimise the risk of an electrical emergency.
Contact Con-Fused Today
By following the tips in this guide, you can help ensure that your property is safe for both you and your tenants.
Contact us today to find out more about our commercial electrical safety inspections and services and other electrical safety services to help maintain your commercial premises.
