The lack of an earth wire is dangerous and something that would be picked up in the inspection of the electrical installation that private landlords in England and Scotland are legally obliged to have carried out on a five yearly basis
Answered by Sarah, Electrical Safety Expert
The lack of an earth wire is dangerous and something that would be picked up in the inspection of the electrical installation that private landlords in England and Scotland are legally obliged to have carried out on a five yearly basis.
When an electrical inspection is carried out, the electrician will issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This will either confirm that the installation is safe or highlight any hazards that need to be fixed. These should be repaired within 28 days and your landlord should give you a copy of the report. If the landlord refuses to fix the problem, then you should speak to your local authority.
However, this particular issue may be a problem that is the responsibility of the network operator rather than your landlord as they have an obligation to maintain the earth where provided. You can find your network operator here.