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Updated: 3 January 2024
Your safe use of electrical equipment and installations is an important part of electrical safety fire prevention.
We will check the electrics in your home at least every five years to make sure they are safe and working properly. We will ensure that all electrical work is carried out by a competent person.
We will also test any electrical equipment and white goods that Torus owns.
An electrical safety check is not an option and is legally required. If you don’t allow us to complete this you are putting your tenancy, your families and your neighbours’ safety and health at great risk and is breach of your tenancy agreement and can result in us being forced into taking legal action to gain access.
Electrics can be extremely dangerous and are the leading cause of domestic fires in the UK. Use our practical advice to reduce the risk of causing a fire or getting an electric shock at home.
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Regulation 11), together with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, place important obligations on landlords to ensure that electrical systems are maintained in a safe condition.
All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should be inspected and tested to check they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use and your safety. The electric service checks the condition of the electrical outlets, switches and wiring in your house.
Our contractor will need access to the mains board/fuse box and all rooms to check the sockets, switches and light fittings. They will carry out any necessary repairs during the electric service. Your electric service will last approximately 2-4 hours, dependant on the size of your home.
For all fixed wiring installations and equipment owned by Torus, we will carry out testing and routine maintenance repairs. We use a combination of rewiring or upgrade work where sub-standard installations are identified.
This essential safety check is carried out every five years.
Depending on the size and condition of the electrical installation within your home, it is anticipated that the electrical safety inspection and test could take between two and four hours to complete.
We will need to check all electrical wiring and components throughout the property.
If you have any questions or concerns about the visit or need any advice and support please call us, we will do our best to help.
We will always write to you ahead of the date of your electrical safety check. So, if your appointment isn’t convenient you have plenty of time to let us know and rebook for a time that suits you better. To rearrange your electrical appointment, you can:
Please try to let us know ahead of the date of your original appointment if you do need to rearrange, so that we don’t turn up as planned and that appointment can be offered to someone else.
Allowing access to your home: It’s a condition of your tenancy agreement to allow access for the electrical safety check. If you don’t allow our contractor into your home to carry out your safety check, you may be putting your life and those of your family and neighbours at risk. As a result, we may take legal action to gain access to complete, and recharge the associated costs back to you, we would rather not have to do this, so please let us in.
If you have any questions or concerns about the visit or need any advice and support please call us, we will do our best to help.
Tampering with gas or electricity meters isn’t just dangerous – it’s also illegal.
Tampering or meter cheating is when a person tampers with a meter, so it doesn’t record how much electricity or gas is being used or tries to bypass the meter completely.
Energy theft is not only illegal, but incredibly dangerous and can have potentially fatal consequences. A tampered meter poses a risk to human life – for you, your family members, neighbours, and community.
Useful tips and information to keep you and your family safe.
Lithium batteries can cause fires and can KILL!
Top tips to keep you, your family, and neighbours safe:
Warning signs to look for that indicate your battery is a fire hazard:
Never block escape routes with an e-bike or e-scooter and ensure you have working smoke and heat alarms in your home to be alerted to the first signs of fire.
If you have a mobility scooter you need to ensure that it is safely stored and follow simple safety rules when charging.
If you live in a scheme (Extra Care, over 55s sheltered) or flat block you should always seek advice before purchasing or hiring a mobility scooter to ensure you understand your responsibilities and any restrictions on storage, charging and use in communal areas. Please discuss with your Scheme Manager or Housing Officer to gain permission and will need to agree where you can store and charge the scooter safely.
If you live in a scheme or flat block, scooters should be stored and charged is designated areas only as they are designed for this purpose, if your block or scheme does not have suitable provision, please speak to us so we can assist.
IMPORTANT: Scooters in stored in dedicated storage rooms are stored at owners owns risk, Torus is not responsible or liable for any damage e.g. scratches. Torus advises all customers to take out their own content’s insurance, find out more about affordable insurance here.
Electrical Safety First: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk.
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting: www.niceic.com.