Electrical testing

We carry out electrical testing to make sure that the electrics in your home are safe. This is part of the important work we do to keep you safe in your home and we are required by law to do it. Therefore it's really important that you let us into your home to carry out the testing.

We will let you know in advance when your electrical testing appointment is, and we’ll also send you a text reminder before we visit. It’s really important that you are at home to let us in to do this.

While doing the testing, we may spot things that need fixing like a socket or light fitting. If we spot anything that could be dangerous, we will fix it straight away. If we spot something that needs fixing but is not dangerous, we will try and fix that while we do the test. If we run out of time we will arrange another appointment to come back.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, we will be using an external contractor to help us carry out electrical testing in some of our homes. Customers who will be visited by our external contractor will be contacted by our external contractor directly to arrange a convenient appointment.

Why do I need an electrical test?

Even if your electrical installation appears to be working fine, it's still very important to let us carry out an electrical test just to make sure that there's nothing out of the ordinary going on.

We have a responsibility to to ensure that your electrical installation is safe, meets today's safety standards, and complies with all current relevant regulations. Regular testing also helps us to maximise the life of your electrical installation.

What's involved in our electrical tests

Watch this video and listen to Andy explain what's involved in our electrical tests and why it's important that you let us into your home to carry them out.

If we've arranged your electrical test for a day you can't make, please contact us as soon as possible so we can rearrange it for you.

When maintaining your electrical installation, we're required to:

Ensure that the electrical installation and equipment we own in your home is safe.
Ensure that your home is free of any serious electrical hazards, such as exposed wiring, overloaded sockets, and other hazards.
Ensure that any threat from accidental fires are minimised, through doing things like making sure residual current devices are fitted and that the distribution board and wiring are regularly checked and maintained.
Make sure that any electrical work complies with the Building Regulations.
As best practice, arrange for an electrical installation condition report to be carried out at least once every five years; these are important to verify the electrical safety of your home and help spot any potential hazards.

When we visit to check the electrics in your home, we will:

Send a qualified and competent electrician.
Conduct a visual inspection, followed by tests of the electrical intake, consumer unit, main protective bonding, the condition of wires and cables, and any fixtures or fittings throughout your home.
Carry out any necessary repairs or remedial work.

Electricity: The dos and dont’s

Don’t:

Do it yourself! DIY wiring can lead to electrical parts overheating, which can cause electric shocks, fires and death.
Overload sockets. Plugging too many devices into one socket and using multiple extension leads can lead to overheating and cause fires.

Do:

Allow us access to your home for electrical testing to take place. Regular checks are the best way to make sure electrical installations are safe and to spot potential problems before they become a danger.
Allow up to four hours for all checks to be completed.
Clear away any obstacles that may obstruct the electrician carrying out your test.
Buy reputable electrical goods. Cheaper, unofficial electrical products, such as phone chargers, may not meet safety regulations and could cause a fire.