Know the Reason Why Electrical Certificates Necessary for the Landlords?

Being a landlord has a lot of perks. But with those benefits are legal responsibilities that the government expects you to fulfil—such as ensuring that your property is safe to live in. To do this, you have to get electrical certificates for landlords.

According to UK law, you must make sure that the appliances and electrical equipment that you provide in your rental spaces are safe to use. They must also be well-maintained throughout the whole tenancy period. The electrical installations, internal wiring, light fixtures, and plugs should be covered as well.

Aside from this, you must also secure an EICR for landlord every five years if you own an HMO or House Multiple Occupation properties that are occupied by three or more people who form more than two households. Moreover, the tests and inspections must be carried out by a qualified electrician.

The abovementioned points are also some of the reasons why the legislation requires you to get landlord electrical certificate and scheduled Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR for a landlord.

Proper testing prevents problems through early detection of potential dangers in your electrical installations and appliances. It lets you find out the real condition of your property's electrical work as well as the extent of damage to determine the necessary steps to be made. It also makes it easier to file insurance claims because you can show proof that you are complying with the law. Finally, it lets you protect your valuable investments and safeguard your source of income.

Landlord electrical safety certificates cost around £100. But this may depend on the type of certification or service you need. Aside from the price, you must also consider the qualification of the electrician you are hiring. Make sure that the person is registered with the JIB (Joint industry Board) and has the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card.

Fire Alarm Testing Tool: Why You Should Meet the Fire Alarm Test Safety Regulations?

Fire alarm systems are designed to protect people by giving them a heads up about the impending danger. But without regular fire alarm tests, you cannot guarantee that your smoke detectors and other devices will work properly during times of emergency. This is the very reason the UK fire alarm legislation requires frequent fire alarm testing and penalises those businesses or employers who will fail to comply with the safety regulations. Minor penalties can be up to £5,000. There is no limit to the fine for major penalties and the guilty party may face up to 2 years in prison.

Aside from complying with the law, there are other reasons why you should include a fire alarm testing procedure in your business' safety and emergency plans.

Prevent fire and property damage

Fire alarm systems not only protect people but also safeguard your property or your source of income. Consequently, it ensures the safety of your valuable investments, tenants, or those people working for you. But as with any devices and appliances, they also deteriorate in time whether they are used or remain unused. Without regular fire alarm testing, you can't be 100% sure that the system will be fully operational during critical situations.

Get your insurance claim easily

One of the requirements of property insurance providers when claiming insurance is your record of fire alarm tests as proof that you are complying with the law and with the insurer’s conditions. If you don't perform a regular inspection, then it will be difficult for you to get paid by the provider. Worse, they may invalidate the policy.

Avoid false alarms

Another reason to do fire alarm testing is to help avoid nuisance caused by a false alarm. Did you know that you may be penalised by the authorities just because your smoke detectors and heat alarms are malfunctioning?

You may be able to test your own fire alarm systems using appropriate testing tools. Nevertheless, fire alarm checks should really be carried out by professional and experienced electricians. This is especially true when there are major problems that must be immediately addressed.