Unlike periodic inspection and testing of the electrical installation, visual checks are not a legal requirement.
When a change of tenancy occurs, the landlord or their representative should always carry out a visual check to confirm that a property is safe to re-let. This check should include confirming that there are no broken or missing switches or sockets, no accessible live parts, no signs of burning on electrical equipment and that any installed RCDs operate when the integral test button is pressed.
Things to look out for include:
- Broken accessories (such as sockets and light switches).
- Signs of scorching around sockets due to overloading.
- Overheating of electrical equipment (such as lampholders fitted with the wrong lamps) – usually detected by a strong, often fishlike, smell.
- Damaged cables to portable electrical appliances or trailing cables/flexes.
- Lack of RCD protection for circuits, particularly those supplying equipment in the bath/shower room or garden.
Electrical Safety First has produced a Landlords interim checklist to assist those carrying out such checks. This may be downloaded here
Further Reading
Visual Checks (Electrical Safety First)
