Faulty electrics
If you have faulty electrics in your home, your landlord must put it right by law. If you rent social housing in England, Awaab's Law applies. Once you report it, your landlord must act within 24 hours. How much you could claim depends on how long it lasted, how serious it was, and any effect on your health. There is no fixed timescale, though months rather than days is realistic. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
England: Section 11(1)(b) + Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Wales: Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 repair and fitness duties.
Symptoms
- Sparks from sockets or light fittings
- Burning smell from outlets or appliances
- Trip switch repeatedly failing (RCD trips)
- Exposed wiring or broken sockets
- No working smoke alarm or CO detector
Health impact
- Fire risk, electrical faults cause ~20,000 UK house fires/year
- Electric shock injuries
- Carbon monoxide poisoning where no alarm is present
Evidence to gather
- Photograph the faulty fixture, DO NOT touch it
- Get an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) date if your landlord has one (you have a right to ask)
- Note any sparking, burning smells, or RCD trips with exact dates
This really happens
An independent statutory ruling found severe failings after Birmingham City Council failed to deal with electrical safety following a leak in a resident's home.
Source: Independent statutory ruling, Learning from Severe Failings (March 2025) · case 202313362. This is a published decision, not a Support for Tenants client.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can I claim for faulty electrics?
How much you could get depends on how bad it is, how long it went on, and how it affected your health, so we cannot promise a figure. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
How long does a faulty electrics claim take?
There is no fixed time. Months rather than days is realistic, and it depends on your evidence, how your landlord responds, and how complex the problem is. If you rent social housing in England, Awaab's Law (Section 10A LTA 1985, started 27 October 2025) gives your landlord 24 hours to act. Wales uses the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 instead.
What proof do I need for faulty electrics?
Photos and videos with the date on them. A note of when you told your landlord and what they said. A letter from your doctor if anyone has been ill.
Can I claim if I owe rent?
Yes. Owing rent does not stop you making a disrepair claim. They are separate things in law. We will talk through your situation honestly.
Read more about faulty electrics
Put it in writing
A written record helps your case. Copy a free, plain-English template, fill in the brackets, and send it to your landlord.
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This is worth a claim
Published decisions show what landlords were made to pay tenants across England in one recent year. A panel solicitor can advise what may be recoverable for faulty electrics in an individual claim.
- £5.4m
- compensation ordered for tenants in one year
- 26,901
- orders and recommendations made
- 578
- cases had orders over £2,000
- Almost £32,000
- the largest single order
Figures from the independent statutory review, Annual Complaints Review 2024 to 2025. These are sector-wide outcomes for social housing tenants in England.
Read deeper, Faulty electrics
Practical Q&As, legal context, and named case studies on this topic. Every link below is a Support for Tenants page.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.