The HHSRS makes provisions that the electrical installation must be in sound condition and therefore the only way to make certain that this is safe and to BS7671:2008, which is known as 17th Edition of the IEE wiring code which came into effect from the 1 July 2008. All commercial, domestic and industrial wiring installations must be designed, constructed, inspected, tested and certificated to meet the requirements of BS 7671: 2008.

The installation must be inspected by an accredited contractor. Many councils will only accept an NICEIC or ECA accredited contractor, although there are other accreditation bodies, these are the most widely accepted.

As this is a new standard, properties having not complying with the 17th Edition will fail. However, it will be up to local authorities to decide on what action is taken for properties that have been rewired during the last 5 years – the 16th Edition. It may be accepted that so long as there are no Code 1 or Code 2 Hazards which are life threatening hazards , that local authorities will accept these until the next Licence application, when they will need to be brought up to the 17th Edition.

For new HMO applications, the wiring must conform to the 17th Edition of the IEE Code

Plan for regular (perhaps annual) checks on the property for maintenance purposes, as damage by tenants or alterations on the property can affect the property condition.

Landlord’s must comply with the following:

• Plugs Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994
• Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
• Low Voltage Electrical (Safety) Regulations 1990

Which inturn form the basis of the wiring code. It is so easy to assume that all is working, yet, tenants can change fuses in plugs to the wrong rating.

If there are inadequate number of power points in rooms this could lead to overloading of the sockets and cause a fire