Electrical Work In Rental Properties

Allen Realty Reports On Electrical Work In Rental Properties

As Simon Allen reports in a recent blog on the Allen Realty website, all electrical work in rental properties must be completed by a registered electrician to guarantee all legal requirements are met and to ensure insurance cover in the event of a fire. There is a limited amount of electrical work that homeowners can carry out in their own home, such as replacing fuse wires. However when it comes to rental properties, it is a breach of the tenancy agreement for tenants to do any work (other than general presentation issues and garden maintenance) without the landlords written approval. This includes building, painting, plumbing, drainage and electrical work.

This becomes particularly important when it comes to electrical work. It is a requirement of the law (Residential Tenancies Act 1986, Building Act, Health and Safety Act) that all electrical work MUST be completed by a registered electrician and if it isnt, then this can negate a landlords insurance.

Following a fire, investigators will examine all electrical fittings and appliances to establish if anything looks different or new, and then may request copies of Certificates of Compliance to prove work was carried out by a qualified tradesman (as many fires are caused by poor workmanship). If the fire is caused by electrical work completed by non-qualifed/non-certified people, the insurance company may not pay out.

Allen Realty recommend landlords and property managers take a careful approach when identifying issues with electrical work, and take steps to protect both themselves and their property if they find anything untoward. Allen Realty property managers carefully monitor the condition of rental properties as part of their property management service and they check electrical fittings and appliances during their regular maintenance inspections to ensure there are no issues with compliance, and if any issues are identified, they arrange for a qualified electrician to visit the rental property to check the work and issue a Certificate of Compliance once the work is confirmed as safe.

Tenants should always be advised of this process and charged for the visit to check compliance.

Regarding repairs, tenants should not have to wait until a landlord has the time or money. Landlords are expected to have the resources needed to complete repairs and make a property compliant. If landlords use a property management specialist they must make sure they follow a set code of conduct and that staff also act in an ethical and professional manner. As a landlord, acting ethically and professionally will help to encourage stable, long term tenancies which help to ensure the rent is paid on time and the property is well looked after.

ends

Scoop Media

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Electrical Work In Rental Properties