Comment on the Welsh Housing Bill
Commenting on the new Welsh Housing Bill, Phil Buckle, Director General of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), said:
“We warmly welcome the Welsh Government’s aim of improving conditions in the Private Rented Sector (PRS). This new Bill offers a wide-ranging set of reforms for the sector that should improve the quality and standards of housing in Wales.
“However, we hope that the code of practice and training requirements for PRS landlords and managing agents – which will be introduced at a later date – will also aid in improving safety standards in the home. This is particularly important in the case of electrical safety, as the majority of domestic fires in Wales arise through electricity.”
Editor’s Notes:
Out of 1,721 domestic fires in Wales during 2012, 1,166 arose through electricity.
In its engagement with Welsh government, the ESC has called for:
- Mandatory, five yearly checks, by a registered electrician, of both the electrical installation in a rented property and any electrical appliances supplied with it.
- Mandatory provision of RCD protection in all properties. RCDs (or Residual Current Devices) are lifesavers – they help prevent severe and fatal electric shock, and some fires, and are usually fitted in the fusebox of a home.
For more information please contact Angela Murphy on 020 3463 5127 or at angela.murphy@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk