Students – how to make sure your student accommodation is electrically safe

With the Summer holidays almost here, there is the growing sense of 'schools out' amongst school leavers and university students. If you are starting university this September or are moving out of halls to live in a student house, it is worth being aware of essential electrical safety information.

Unfortunately here at Fulcher Edwards we have come across more than one university housing landlord that flout their obligations. Like any other tenant, as a student you have the right to live in a safe home that is free of electrical danger.

The problems caused by unsafe electrics

We know all too well that it can be a massive rush to get a student house sorted and location matters when it comes to finding a house. However don't overlook the practicalities. With several students all sharing an average sized house, it is important that the home electrical wiring and installation is up to the job. With practically every student owning a computer and television not to mention gadgets like smartphones, tablets and laptops, imagine the problems caused when everyone uses these all at the same time! The last thing you need is to loose your work through nuisance electrical tripping or worse still receive an electrical injury or even death through unsafe electrics.

As electricians in South East London, we work with many student landlords in and around the area carrying out electrical safety checks and PAT testing on appliances which not only protect the students but also the property itself. Unsafe electrics are a fire risk too.

Don't settle for anything less than a current EICR

Unfortunately we hear stories where student landlords have talked students away from electrical safety deeming it to be not necessary or worse still that their mate has checked the electrics and they're safe. Always make sure you see evidence that the electrics in the property have been checked correctly. The best way is to ask to see an EICR or landlord electrical safety certificate.

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report that is issued to properties that have satisfactorily passed tests to ensure the wiring and installations such as switches and sockets are safe. An EICR can only be carried out by a qualified and registered electrician and the landlord would arrange for this test to be carried out normally before you move in but certainly within the last 5 years.

Is your landlord supplying appliances?

If your landlord is supplying any electrical appliances, they need to be PAT tested. PAT testing is portable appliance testing carried out by an electrician or PAT tester to check that appliances such as fridge freezers, tumble dryers, toasters, kettles, washing machines, televisions etc are safe to use.

Ask to see a PAT certificate for all appliances supplied by the landlord.

Never place your electrical safety over the looks or house location. Unscrupulous landlords can use these factors to their advantage. Remember electricity does kill 1 person every week and injures 1000's more. Don't leave it to chance.

Check there are enough sockets

Student landlords are famous for squeezing in an extra bedroom where possible and someone will draw the short straw and end up with the box room! However, before you sign a tenancy agreement, make sure the rooms have enough sockets for your needs. The overuse of extension leads is electrically dangerous and whilst a couple of extensions might be ok, it is not electrically safe for everyone in the house to be using them.

If an electrical problem arises

If you have an electrical concern whilst renting the property, inform your landlord as soon as possible. Electrical concerns should be taken seriously and rectified within a few days. Landlords should definitely not be arguing with you that there is not a problem and should certainly act in a professional manner.

Do not take matters into your own hands and attempt to fix electrical problems yourself. Your landlord is there to sort out these problems. If you reported concerns in your property and your landlord is not doing anything about it, then please contact the Local Authority who will take enforcement action against your landlord if necessary.

If you are a student landlord

At Fulcher Edwards we work closely with landlords in all sectors to ensure that their properties are up to rental standard. With the impending mandatory 5 year safety checks and RCD protection recommendations, it is important that you ensure your property meets the latest recommendations. Please contact us for free advice and a quotation and avoid an unlimited fine under the Housing Act 2004.