Electricalsafety can range from niggly problems such as the electric tripping
just as you're about to save your work to serious electrical issues
that could cause electrical injury or even death.
Making
the best start on university housing
It will soon become apparent that there is a problem with your
student housing. The unfortunate reality is that once you have
signed the tenancy agreement, it will become a lot more difficult to
rectify the issue in the future. It is far easier to be aware of
potential pitfalls before making the final decision on which housing
to opt for.
What
to look out for
Dangerous electrics at best can be a menace. In the worst instance
it can kill. When viewing the property there are often tell tale
signs that the electrics are not in the best of conditions. An over
reliance of extension leads is a tell tale sign that there are not
enough electric sockets in the rooms concerned. Too few sockets is a
sign of dated electrics and there could well be other problems. Pay
attention to how the current tenants are living and the condition of
the other electric fittings such as switches and sockets. Signs of
discolouration, metal backed sockets and broken fittings are all
signs that the electrics need some attention.
An over reliance of extension leads can cause overheating and house
fire. It is real not worth risking your equipment and essentially
your life on a property with outdated electrics which could be
dangerous.
How
safe might the electrics be?
With electricity, everything is neatly hidden away. Therefore it is
tricky to see if there is a problem with electrics that otherwise
look good. The only way of knowing is for a qualified and registered
electrician carrying out an electrical safety inspection of the
property electrics. This is known as an EICR. If the property is
satisfactory then a certificate is issued to confirm this. It is
important that as the tenant you ask to view this certificate.
The recommendations are for landlords to carry out an EICR every 5
years or with every change of tenant. Although it is not the law to
have an EICR carried out, landlords must still show how they ensure
the electrical safety of their tenants. Most reputable landlords
carry out an EICR on their property.
What
about electrical appliances supplied at the property?
Whilst it can be quite handy to have a washing machine and fridge
freezer ready to use in your property, it is important that the
appliances are actually safe to use. Faulty or dangerous appliances
can cause fire or electric shock. Landlords who supply electrical
equipment should have the equipment PAT tested regularly to ensure
that the equipment remains safe to use.
Always ask to see the EICR certificate and evidence of PAT testing
before signing the tenancy agreement.
Electricity can and does kill – 7 people every week are killed by
electricity and electricity injures thousands more. Ensuring that
your property will be electrically safe is the best thing you can do
prior to moving into your student property.
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