Electrical Wiring Disrepair Claims
Faulty electrics pose a severe risk of fire and electrocution. Your landlord has a non-negotiable duty to ensure all electrical installations are safe.
Start Your ClaimWhat is an Electrical Disrepair?
Electrical disrepair includes any issue with the wiring, sockets, light fittings, or fuse box that makes them unsafe. This can range from old, frayed wiring and frequently tripping fuses to scorch marks on sockets and electric shocks from switches. These are not minor issues; they represent a serious and immediate danger to you and your family.
A Serious Fire & Safety Hazard
Your Landlord's Legal Duty for Electrical Safety
Mandatory Safety Checks
By law, landlords must ensure that the electrical system in your home is safe. They are required to have the electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. They must provide you with a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Failure to provide a valid certificate or to carry out repairs recommended in the report is a clear breach of their duty.
What a Successful Claim Can Achieve
An electrical disrepair claim forces your landlord to make your home safe and compensates you for the risk you were exposed to.
Compensation for Risk
For the anxiety and danger of living with unsafe electrics, especially if you have children. You can also claim for damaged appliances.
Order for Urgent Repairs
A court order compelling your landlord to hire a qualified electrician to carry out all necessary repairs and provide a new safety certificate.
Evidence to Gather for Your Claim
Clear documentation is vital for proving your case:
- Photos of faulty sockets or wiring
- Copies of your EICR report (if you have one)
- All communication with your landlord
- Receipts for any damaged appliances
Electrical Disrepair FAQs
For private tenancies in England, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be carried out at least every five years. You should be given a copy of this report before you move in or within 28 days of the inspection.
An "Unsatisfactory" report means that there are dangerous or potentially dangerous issues that require urgent attention. Your landlord is legally required to carry out the recommended remedial work within 28 days of receiving the report. Their failure to do so is a major breach of safety regulations.
Yes. Any electric shock, no matter how small, is a sign of a potentially dangerous fault. You should report it to your landlord immediately as an emergency. It could indicate faulty wiring, a lack of proper earthing, or other serious hazards.
It can be. While a single trip might be caused by a faulty appliance, constantly tripping fuses or circuit breakers suggest an overloaded circuit or a fault in the wiring. This is a potential fire risk that your landlord must investigate and rectify.
Withholding rent is very risky and can lead to eviction proceedings. While there is a specific legal procedure for carrying out repairs and deducting the cost, it must be followed perfectly. It is much safer to pursue a formal disrepair claim to force your landlord to act and to secure compensation.
Don't Live with Electrical Dangers
Your safety is paramount. If you are worried about the electrics in your rented home, contact us now for a free, no-obligation assessment.
Start Your Free Assessment Today