How do you know your home is safe to live in?

Living in a home than is safe from dangerous hazards such as bad electrics, gas leaks, animal infestations and a leaking roof is a high priority for practically every house holder whether they rent or own their home. We can all recall a time when we have lived in a property which was far from ideal and don't we often wish we had the knowledge to do something about it?

That is the aim of our blog today. Whether you are a home owner or rent your home, it is important to make sure that you are not putting yourself at risk unknowingly. Remember many electrical problems can hide away for many years and can rear their heads very suddenly. Although electrical problems do not go off with spectacular bangs like gas, the results of dangerous electrics can still be deadly. The best term to describe dangerous electrics is a silent killer.

Choose your home carefully

Dangerous electrics can occur in any property – even brand new and idyllic properties. They are not reduced to the confines of dingy flats and back street terraces. As electricians in London, we work with home owners, landlords and letting agents in and around South East London who take electrical safety very seriously.

When finding a property to live in, it is very easy to only look at the aesthetics. We all want modern fittings and clean carpets and that throw open your windows to the fresh air feel in our home, however it is important that all the other bits are in order. Alas, many renters and buyers overlook the safety of gas and electrics preferring the look of their home over their own safety.

Ensure your home has an electrical safety certificate

An electrical safety certificate, its actual name being an EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report is carried out by a qualified and registered electrician. In a nutshell it consists of an in depth inspection of a property electrical systems and wiring. If the inspection is satisfactory, a certificate will be issued which is proof that the electrics are safe in a property.

If you rent your property

The majority of reputable landlords will have an EICR carried out. Please ensure you see a copy of the EICR certificate before you proceed to sign your rental agreement.

Although having an EICR is not a compulsory requirement, it is looking very likely that it soon will be. A Government report produced by the DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) has stated clear recommendations that all landlords need to have an EICR carried out every 5 years.

If the landlord has not carried out an EICR our recommendation here at Fulcher Edwards is to walk away. Don't compromise the electrical safety of you and your family.

If you own your property or are looking at purchasing a property

If you already own your property, we recommend you have an EICR carried out once every 10 years. This is particularly important if you have had alterations or additions carried out to your electrics or an older wiring system.

If you are thinking of purchasing a property, and it is a new build, you will receive the EICR certificate upon purchase. If you are buying an older property, it may be worth your while having an EICR carried out on the property before purchase to establish what condition the electrics are in at this may affect your offer price. Increasing numbers of mortgage companies now insist on an EICR being carried out as part of their mortgage offer.

Does your home have an RCD?

Another key recommendation within the DCLG report was RCD protection to be installed in all rental homes. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we always say to our clients, that if you do nothing else electrically, install an RCD. RCD's have saved the life of many people in recent years who through error or appliance malfunction would have received a fatal electrical shock.

All homes should have protection against electrical shock. Yes fuses and the fuse box switches will help, but it does not protect you against accidental touching of live cables or an appliances developing a fault that you do not know about.

Always use qualified and registered electricians

To do any of the works we have mentioned in your home, you will need an electrician. As electricians in South East London, we take our credentials seriously. All our domestic electricians are qualified to the latest 17^th edition regulations and we are proudly registered with the NICEIC. Always check your electricians credentials before they begin work.

If you are a landlord concerned about the latest developments pertaining to the DCLG report, please call us. We are more than happy to provide advice on how to bring your properties up to the latest rental standards.