Electrical Safety First has produced a short film, hosted by former student and Made in Chelsea star Andy Jordan, giving a series of tips to students to help them adapt to moving away from home and in with new housemates.
Students’ lives at risk because of negligent landlord and letting agent safety practice
• New research released today shows that large numbers of students are at risk because of substandard checks and failure to fix serious safety hazards
• A worrying number of landlords and letting agents are ignoring safety concerns of tenants in student accommodation, leaving them vulnerable to electric shocks, electrical fires and even electrocution
• Ahead of the new university term, a leading safety charity is calling for a crackdown on substandard or dangerous accommodation and warning students not to compromise on their safety
Landlords and letting agents of student accommodation are putting their tenants’ lives at risk by failing to fix serious safety hazards, according to new research by Electrical Safety First.
The charity has discovered that a worrying number of landlords and letting agents ignore safety concerns reported to them, putting their tenants in danger of electric shocks, electrical fires and even electrocution.
Research commissioned by the charity found that a staggering 37% of landlords and letting agents failed to fix exposed wiring when reported, 35% never rectified damp, condensation or flooding around the electrics, whilst 30% left issues with scorching around sockets and light fittings unresolved.
The survey also revealed that over a quarter of students surveyed experience faulty electrics in their privately rented accommodation.
To help students stay safe, Electrical Safety First is calling on students to not accept living in substandard or dangerous accommodation and are giving their tips and advice to students on what to do if their landlord or letting agent fails to act.
