ESC response to parliamentary report on private rented sector housing
Commenting on the CLG Select Committee’s recommendation that private sector landlords be required to undertake a mandatory five-yearly check of electrical installations in their properties, Phil Buckle, Director General of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), said:
“We are delighted that the Committee has made this recommendation. We have, for some time now, been lobbying hard for such mandatory regulation in the PRS. The Government’s own data shows that 21% of England’s PRS contains category 1 hazards - the most dangerous risk to health and safety under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System. And independent research suggests that PRS tenants are more likely to be at risk of electric shock than owner-occupiers, or those in social housing.
Government statistics also show that over half of all accidental fires in GB homes (more than 20,000 annually) are caused by electricity. With the PRS expanding significantly over the past decade – now comprising over 16.5% of all households and growing – it is essential that electrical safety in the sector is properly regulated.”
The ESC has identified other key changes which could help improve conditions for PRS tenants and assist landlords to engage in best practice. For more information, visit: www.esc.org.uk/stakeholder/policies.
