Electrical Safety

Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, landlords are responsible for ensuring that all electrical installations and appliances are maintained in good working order and safe to use.

Periodic Inspection Report (PIR)

An electrical survey, known as a Periodic Inspection Report, will carry out tests on the fixed wiring of the installation to find potential hazards, including any earthing or bonding deficiencies. The report will establish the overall condition of the electrical installation, state whether it is satisfactory for continued use, and detail any work that needs to be done to make it satisfactory.

There is still confusion in the UK over how often a PIR should be carried out. This is illustrated by the examples below:

• NICEIC is the main English/UK body for voluntary regulation of electrical contractors and they currently recommend a PIR is carried out every 10 years if you occupy your own home or every five years if it is let out or when the tenant changes, whichever comes soonest.
• SELECT is the Scottish voluntary body which regulates electrical contractors and they currently rcommend a PIR is carried out every three years. They recently updated their guidance to say it should also be carried out at each change of tenant.
• HMO properties in Edinburgh must have a PIR every five years to comply with the licence.
• LAS - Landlord Accreditation Scotland - is a voluntary scheme for landlords which recommends a PIR is carried out very five years.

Clan Gordon currently organise a PIR every five years. If a property is returned in a significantly damaged state which gives rise to concern over the electrical safety of the property, then a new PIR may be recommended to the landlord at an earlier date.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

All electrical appliances supplied with let accommodation must be safe. Portable Appliance Testing is widely regarded as being the best way of complying with this obligation. The Portable Appliance Test includes visual checks and tests carried out on electrical appliances and their plugs and cables.

It is normal practice to have the PAT carried out annually. For example, Scottish Government Statutory Guidance for an HMO licence currently require it to be at least annually.