Electrical Issues Claims

Electrical Issues Claims Manchester

Faulty wiring, dead sockets, unsafe fuse boards and exposed cables are serious safety hazards that put you and your family at risk of electrocution and fire. Your landlord has a legal obligation to keep the electrical installations in your home safe and in proper working order. If they have failed to act after you reported the problem, we can help you force the repairs and claim compensation — on a No Win, No Fee basis.

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SRA ID 813100 No Win, No Fee
Recognise the Problem

Signs of Electrical Issues in Your Home

If you have noticed any of the following in your rented property, your landlord may be failing in their legal duty to maintain safe electrical installations.

  • Sockets or switches that spark, feel hot or don't work
  • Lights that flicker or dim unexpectedly
  • Fuses that trip repeatedly or a consumer unit that needs frequent resetting
  • Exposed or damaged wiring
  • Burning smell near sockets, switches or the fuse board
  • Electric shocks from appliances, sockets or light switches
  • Outdated fuse board without modern RCD protection
  • Scorch marks or discolouration around sockets and switches
  • Extension leads used as permanent wiring due to insufficient sockets
The Law

Your Landlord's Legal Obligations

Several pieces of legislation require your landlord to maintain safe electrical installations in your rented home.

Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s.11

Your landlord must keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling-house for the supply and use of electricity. This covers all wiring, sockets, switches, the consumer unit and any other fixed electrical installation.

Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020

Private landlords in England must have the electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years and obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Any faults classified as C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) must be remedied within 28 days.

HHSRS — Category 1 Hazard

Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, electrical hazards — including the risk of fire from defective wiring and the risk of electrocution — can be assessed as a Category 1 hazard, which means the local authority has a duty to take enforcement action against the landlord.

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

Your rented home must be fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy. Dangerous or defective electrical installations can render a property unfit, giving you the right to take action directly in court without relying on the local authority.

Social landlords, including councils and housing associations, must also comply with the Decent Homes Standard, which requires that homes are free from Category 1 hazards and have reasonably modern facilities and services.

The Process

How We Handle Your Electrical Issues Claim

From free eligibility check to repairs completed and compensation secured — here is what to expect.

Your Claim Journey

4 STEPS · NO UPFRONT COST
  1. 01
    Report

    Tell us about the disrepair in a 2-minute form or by phone.

  2. 02
    Free Inspection

    An independent surveyor inspects your home at no cost to you.

  3. 03
    We Notify Your Landlord

    We formally serve notice and demand repairs and compensation.

  4. 04
    Repairs & Compensation

    Your home is fixed and you receive the compensation you're owed.

Compensation

Compensation for Electrical Issues

The amount of compensation you can receive depends on the severity and duration of the electrical disrepair and any harm or losses you have suffered.

  • General damages for the distress and inconvenience of living with unsafe electrics, including anxiety about fire and electrocution risk
  • Special damages for electrical appliances damaged by power surges or faulty wiring, and the cost of replacements
  • If an electrical fault caused a fire: compensation for property damage, loss of belongings and the cost of temporary accommodation
  • Health and injury claims where electrocution or a fire caused by electrical disrepair resulted in personal injury
  • Courts treat electrical hazards with particular seriousness because of the risk of fire and electrocution, which can result in higher awards
Estimate your compensation with our claim calculator
FAQs

Electrical Issues Claim FAQs

Is my landlord responsible for electrical repairs?+
Yes. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling for the supply and use of electricity. This covers wiring, sockets, switches, the consumer unit (fuse board) and any electrical installation that was in place at the start of the tenancy. If you have reported an electrical fault and your landlord has failed to repair it within a reasonable time, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
What is an EICR and does my landlord need one?+
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is an inspection carried out by a qualified electrician to check the safety of the fixed electrical installations in a property. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords must have the electrical installations inspected and tested at least every five years and provide a copy of the report to tenants within 28 days. If the EICR identifies any faults classified as C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous), the landlord must carry out remedial work within 28 days or any shorter period specified in the report.
Can I claim for an electrical fault in a council property?+
Yes. Council tenants and housing association tenants have the same legal protections as private tenants under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Your social landlord has a duty to maintain the electrical installations in your home. If they have failed to carry out electrical repairs after being notified, you can make a housing disrepair claim for the repairs to be completed and for compensation.
What should I do if I have an electrical emergency?+
If there is an immediate danger, such as sparking, a burning smell, or exposed live wiring, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit if you can do so safely and contact your landlord or their emergency repairs line immediately. If you believe there is a risk of fire or electrocution, call 999. Keep a written record of the date and time you reported the emergency and any reference numbers given. Once the immediate danger is addressed, contact us for a free assessment of whether you have a housing disrepair claim.
How long does an electrical issues claim take?+
Most housing disrepair claims for electrical issues settle within six to nine months. After we send the letter of claim under the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims, your landlord has 20 working days to respond. We then arrange an independent surveyor inspection and, if necessary, an electrical condition report. The majority of cases are resolved through negotiation without the need for a court hearing. Cases involving serious electrical hazards or injuries may take longer depending on the complexity of the claim.

Other Types of Housing Disrepair We Handle

Electrical issues are just one of the housing disrepair problems we help tenants resolve across Greater Manchester.

Damp & Mould

Black mould on walls, ceilings or window frames, a serious health hazard your landlord must fix.

Leaks & Water Damage

Persistent leaks from roofs, pipes or plumbing that damage your home and belongings.

Pest Infestation

Rats, mice, cockroaches or bedbugs entering through structural defects your landlord ignores.

Structural Damage

Cracks, subsidence, sagging floors, unsafe stairs or crumbling brickwork left unrepaired.

Heating & Boiler

Broken boilers, cold radiators, or no hot water for weeks, a landlord repair obligation.

Areas We Cover

Electrical Issues Claims Across Greater Manchester

We handle electrical disrepair claims for tenants in every Greater Manchester borough.

ManchesterOldhamSalfordBoltonBuryRochdaleStockportTamesideTraffordWigan
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