There has been a downward trend in the numbers of fires in London, however the proportion with an electrical source of ignition has been slowly increasing.
Mandatory electrical safety checks are conducted every five years in Scotland and are due to be brought in in Wales.
As London has the largest private rented sector in the UK, the London Assembly today agreed a unanimous motion for the Government to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks to be conducted every five years.
Shaun Bailey AM, who proposed the motion said:
“The number of fires at privately rented premises caused by poor electrical installations is a growing problem for London's Fire services.
Landlords need to be made accountable for the electrical safety of their accommodation and mandatory tests every five years is an effective way of ensuring that.
It is right this is introduced across our capital and I hope the Mayor can push forward with our proposals.”
Tom Copley AM, who seconded the motion said:
“It’s completely senseless that we’re seeing damage to people’s lives and properties as a result of these avoidable fires.
We have a massive private rented sector in London and it’s worrying that we don’t already have mandatory electrical tests in place to protect the many, many Londoners who rent.
Anything the Mayor can do to lean on the government to introduce mandatory electrical testing would be hugely welcome.”
The full text of the Motion is:
“The Assembly notes the work of Electrical Safety First and supports the Government in their introduction of electrical safety checks to the private rented sector.
London Fire Brigade figures show that although there has been a downward trend in the numbers of fires in London, the proportion with an electrical source of ignition has been slowly increasing.
Furthermore, the Assembly acknowledges that the provisions in the Housing and Planning Act to introduce electrical safety checks would align electricity with gas safety in the PRS and that mandatory electrical safety checks are conducted every five years in Scotland and are due to be brought in in Wales.
As London has the largest private rented sector in the UK, the Assembly believes it is right for the Government to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks to be conducted every five years.
The Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor to make representations regarding the introduction of electrical safety checks to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, highlighting the important contribution they would make to improving housing standards in London’s PRS and for these checks to be both mandatory and conducted every five years in line with the rest of the Great Britain.”
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Shaun Bailey AM, who proposed the motion on behalf of Andrew Boff AM, is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4428. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.