Tripping fuses, scorch marks or exposed wiring in your rented home? Your landlord's electrical safety duties, the warning signs, and what to do if they ignore you.
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A faulty electrical system is one of the most dangerous problems a home can have, because it can cause a fire or a serious shock with little warning. If something does not feel safe and your landlord is not acting, you have rights, and you should not wait.
Your landlord's electrical safety duties
Your landlord must keep the home's electrical installation safe. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, they must keep the installations for the supply of electricity in repair and working order.
There is also a specific duty in the private rented sector. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, and provide tenants with a copy of the report.
A serious electrical fault can also be assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, where electrical hazards are recognised, and a bad enough case can be a Category 1 hazard a council can require the landlord to fix.
Warning signs of a dangerous fault
Some signs should never be ignored. Fuses or trip switches that keep going, a burning smell with no obvious source, scorch marks or discolouration around sockets or switches, sockets that are warm to the touch, flickering lights, or visible exposed or damaged wiring all point to a fault that needs a qualified electrician.
If you can smell burning, see sparks, or feel a shock from a switch or appliance, treat it as an emergency. Stop using the affected circuit and report it straight away.
What to do if you spot a hazard
Report it to your landlord in writing immediately, describe exactly what you have seen or smelled, and say that you believe it is a safety risk. Ask for an urgent inspection by a qualified electrician, and keep a copy of your message.
Photograph what you safely can, such as scorch marks or a fault code, without putting yourself at risk. Keep every reply. If your landlord does not act and you believe there is a serious danger, you can contact your local council, whose environmental health team can assess electrical hazards.
How to claim
If your landlord has been told about an electrical hazard caused by disrepair and has failed to make it safe, you can get free, independent advice. Support For Tenants is an FCA-authorised claims management company, not a solicitor. We check whether you have grounds for a housing disrepair claim, and where you do, we connect you with a solicitor from our panel who works on a no-win, no-fee basis. There is no upfront cost to find out where you stand.
Frequently asked questions
Does my landlord have to check the electrics?
Your landlord must keep the electrical installation safe and in working order under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. In the private rented sector in England, landlords must also have the installation inspected at least every five years and give you a copy of the report.
What are the warning signs of an electrical fault?
Fuses that keep tripping, a burning smell, scorch marks around sockets, warm sockets, flickering lights and exposed or damaged wiring are all warning signs that need a qualified electrician.
What should I do if I smell burning or get a shock?
Treat it as an emergency. Stop using the affected circuit, report it to your landlord in writing straight away, and ask for an urgent inspection.
Can the council help?
Yes. Your local council's environmental health team can assess electrical hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Does it cost anything to start a claim?
There is no upfront cost to check whether you have a claim. If you do, we connect you with a panel solicitor who works on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Worried your home's electrics are not safe?
Do not wait for something to go wrong. Get a free, independent view on your rights. Call free on 0800 030 4669 or start your claim.
Sources
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 11
- Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance (GOV.UK)
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System guidance (GOV.UK)
Support For Tenants is a trading name of Cyntex Group Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority as a Claims Management Company. FRN 1020217. Registered in England and Wales.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 2 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 and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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