Commercial Landlords Electrical Safety Guide
As a commercial landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure the electrical safety of your tenants. This includes ensuring that the electrical systems in your building are up to code and pose no risk to the health and safety of your tenants.
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.
While landlords are typically responsible for major repairs and maintenance work, tenants are usually responsible for taking care of minor electrical work, such as changing lightbulbs and replacing outlets. However, regardless of who is responsible for ongoing electrical maintenance work, the law places responsibility firmly on the landlord to ensure safety standards are met.
To protect themselves from liability, landlords should make sure to regularly inspect electrical systems and make any necessary repairs in a timely manner. By taking these precautions, landlords can help to ensure the safety of their tenants and avoid costly legal claims.
Do I Need to Inspect the Building?
While it is possible to carry out a visual inspection of the electrical system yourself, it is always best to hire a professional electrician to carry out a more thorough assessment.
These inspections should be carried out by a registered electrician such as Point Electrical and any certificates you are provided with after an inspection should be kept.
Electrical inspections should be carried out every five years, or whenever there is a change of tenancy.
During an inspection, the electrician will check for any signs of damage or wear and tear, as well as testing all of the outlets and circuits to ensure that they are functioning properly.
These inspections should be carried out by a registered electrician such as Smart Electricians. Any certificates you are provided with after an inspection should be kept.
Do I Need an EICR?
An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a document that assesses the condition of an electrical installation.
Although it is not a legal requirement, an EICR is important because it can help to identify potential risks and hazards. Inhabitants of buildings with electrical installations are at risk of injury or even death if these risks are not identified and remedied.
An EICR can help to prevent these risks by identifying any defects or problems with an electrical installation.
At Point Electrical, we offer EICRs to both domestic and commercial properties in and around Hertfordshire and North London.
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.
Do I Need to Rewire My Commercial Building?
If you are renovating a commercial space, it is important to consider the electrical system. Rewiring the building can help to ensure that the property can keep up with increased demand, prevent hazards, and improve overall efficiency.
An outdated electrical system may not be able to handle additional electronic equipment, and it may also pose a fire hazard.
By upgrading the wiring, you can help to keep your business safe and running smoothly. In addition, rewiring can also make your property more attractive to potential tenants or buyers.
With updated electrical systems, businesses can run more efficiently and safely, making them more desirable to lease or purchase.
Even if you’re not renovating, there may come a time when you need to rewire, especially if it hasn’t been done in a long time.
Whether you are looking to update your home or office, or you need to have your wiring inspected, our team is here to help. We understand that wiring can be a complex and daunting task, which is why we are passionate about what we do.
Commercial Landlord Electrical Checklist
As a commercial landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure that your property is safe for tenants and visitors. This includes maintaining electrical safety.
To help reduce the risk of an electrical fire, it is important to have a well-maintained electrical system. Here are some tips:
- Have a licensed electrician inspect your property’s electrical system on a regular basis
- Do not allow tenants to make their own repairs or alterations to the electrical system
- Ensure that all outlets and switchplates are in good condition and free of debris
- Do not overload circuits or extension cords
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to help prevent shock hazards
- Make sure all exit signs and emergency lighting are in working order.
By following these tips, you can help create a safer environment for your tenants and minimize the risk of an electrical fire.
Contact Point Electrical Today
Contact us today to find out more about our commercial electrical services and other electrical safety services to help maintain your commercial premises.
