Improving Electrical Safety in Housing
Housing is a key area of policy work for Electrical Safety First. As a result of continuous lobbying from the Charity, the UK Government agreed to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks into the Private Rented Sector in England – which will come into force starting in June 2020. This was a great achievement for the Charity and will help prevent thousands of fires and electrical incidents in people’s homes throughout England.
Whilst the Private Rented Sector will receive electrical safety checks, we are concerned that the UK Government has chosen not to proceed with mandatory checks in the Social Rented Sector. Electrical Safety First has worked closely with the sector and there is strong support for these checks, as our 2021 policy paper on the Sector in England shows. This report is available to view and download on this page.
We believe that the UK Government must consider mandatory checks in the Social Rented Sector but also have a system that funds electrical improvements for the most vulnerable homeowners.
Our proposals:
- We will look closely at the Government’s Fire Safety Bill and Building Safety Bill to ensure that people living in tower blocks, the Social Rented Sector and in owner occupied homes receive mandatory. electrical safety checks as appropriate.
- The Government must introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in the Social Rented Sector.
- We will lobby for a specific grant for home owners who are vulnerable to receive free electrical safety checks and funding to make electrical safety improvements.
Downloads (at the side of this page)
Short Term Lets Report
A report about electrical safety in short term lets in England.
Electrical Safety in Social Housing Consultation Response
A response from Electrical Safety First to the Electrical Safety in Social Housing Consultation in 2022.
Social Housing and Building Safety - House of Commons Debate
A briefing for the Social Housing and Building Safety - House of Commons Debate on the 9th of June 2022.
Social Rented Sector Policy Paper, March 2021
A summary of the response to our consultation, with conclusions and recommendations for next steps.
Social Housing Consultation
An analysis of the response to Electrical Safety First's consultation: "Supporting the Social Rented Sector in Ensuring Electrical Safety for Tenants". The findings were used to develop our policy paper (March 2021).
Building Safety Bill Social Rented Sector Briefing Paper
A summary of an amendment in the Building Safety Bill tabled by Lord Foster of Bath to improve the electrical safety of High-Rise Residential buildings (HRRBs) for those in the social rented sector.
Building Safety Bill Leaseholder Briefing Paper
A summary of an amendment in the Building Safety Bill tabled by Lord Foster of Bath to improve the electrical safety of High-Rise Residential buildings (HRRBs) for leaseholders.