Mandatory Electrical Inspections on Rented Properties

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. There are two grades at the top of the system, grade C & grade A. The grade A is a system with fire detectors and alarm sounders with central control and indicating equipment with back-up power supply. This installation must conform to BSEN54. 

This type of equipment is installed in Factories, hospitals & Hotels etc and requires a specialist in this field. 

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. There are two grades at the top of the system, grade C & grade A. The grade C is a system with fire detectors and alarm sounders (which could be combined in the form of smoke alarms) then connected to a common mains power supply. This would then comprise of the normal mains and standby supply with a central control box. These systems are mainly found in larger buildings such as care homes and or sheltered housing. 

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. There is a new grade, grade D1. This is a system of one or more mains powered smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detectors each with a tamper proof battery. This means the detectors cannot be turned off by removing the battery and or turning off the mains powered supply to them because if the power was to be turned off or fail through a fault on the circuit the battery back-up will keep operating the alarms. Simply the only way to stop the alarm from operating would be to physically remove it from its location. 

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. There is a new grade, grade D2. This is described as a system of one or more mains powered smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detectors each with an integral standby battery that is user replaceable. These are suitable for our own homes and the private rented sector. Now here's the important bit these are NOT suitable for HMO use. They may look like they do but they don't. 

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. There is a new grade is grade F1. This is one above the lowest rating F2 on the detector scale. This is a battery operated detector but the battery cannot be removed and is tamper proof. This is suitable for the private rented sector.

Another Quick Tip: Landlords Please Take Note; These are suitable for the private rental sector market. These are not however suitable for HMO's sheltered housing etc.

Quick Tip: BS5839:6 2019 Has been updated. The new grade is grade F2. This is the lowest rating on the detector scale. This is a user replaceable battery typically 9v and is often seen in many of our homes (usually yellowed and non-functional) because the battery has been removed or it was "Chirping" (because the battery was failing). Another Quick Tip: Landlords Please Take Note; These are NOT suitable for the rental market.

Quick Tip: BS8389:6 2019 Has been updated. The :6 bit is relevant for the domestic market so applies to Me n You. In an effort to reduce the confusion with regards to what complies & what doesn't the authorities have added some more categories . Stay calm iv'e got this covered, Updates on the way...........

Electrical Testing Advice for Landlords

Plans for mandatory five-year electrical safety checks in the private rental sector in England have finally been confirmed by the UK government.  This move, which requires further legislation, means that all landlords will be required to have an electrical check (EICR) on their property(s) by a qualified electrician. This rule will mirror those already in operation in Scotland whose rental safety standards currently far outweigh those of the rest of the UK.