Electrical Damage

Electrical Damage

It is a landlord’s duty to ensure that the property they rent out is fit for purpose and safe to live in. Therefore, any electrical issues encountered in the property must be dealt with accordingly and within a reasonable timescale to ensure that the safety of the tenant(s) is not compromised.

Electrical damage to a property occurs when electrical appliances or wirings malfunction be it due to overloading, short-circuiting, poor installation or simple wear and tear. Many electrical issues may not appear that dangerous such as exposed wires but they all have the potential to cause serious damage and harm.

Some of the main hazards you can encounter are;

• Electric shocks and in extreme cases electrocution
• Electrical fires
• Explosions

In addition to being a risk to your health, faulty electrical items can cause damage to the property and your belongings. An electrical fire can damage items beyond repair, resulting in replacements needing to be acquired. Fires may also render the property inhabitable for a length of time which can be an inconvenience.

Tenants should be aware of what poses as a risk. Some of the key signs of electrical failure and danger include;

• Damaged or frayed leads
• Cracked plug cases
• Burn marks appearing on plug or leads – a sign of overheating
• Blown fuses
• The smell of burning plastic

Whether you are a private, housing association or council tenant, your landlord has a legal obligation to make sure that the property’s wiring and any electrical appliances provided are safe. Landlords should carry out regular safety checks on appliances such as cookers, washing machines and fridges.

Tenants have the responsibility to inform the landlord of any signs of electrical danger and allow the landlord time to fix the problem. If however, the landlord does not effectively remedy the problem and the property continues to be in a state of disrepair, you may be able to claim compensation.

If you think you have a potential claim, you should get in touch with a specialist housing solicitor. Our team of dedicated housing lawyers at Duncan Lewis are well-equipped and experienced to handle all kinds of issues involving faulty electrical items and electrical damage. Our team will advise you on what actions can be taken and how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Get in touch

Our Housing Solicitors provide guidance for tenants on all housing issues. We are highly experienced at finding solutions to your housing issues and aim to address cases quickly and effectively. If you think your landlord has been neglectful in his legal obligations to repair an electrical fault or remedy electrical damage, get in touch with one of our dedicated housing solicitors at Duncan Lewis.

If your landlord has been neglecting his responsibilities and your property has fallen into disrepair you may be able to make a claim. At Duncan Lewis, our Housing Disrepair Lawyers have all the essential skills required to help you deal with disrepair problems including asbestos, damp, infestation, mould, and water damage, as well has issues with your hot water, heating or electricity.

For expert legal advice on Housing Disrepair matters, call Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409.