Have you registered appliances in your rentals? Here’s why you should
Do you provide white goods or other appliances in your rental properties?
If so, have you registered them with the manufacturers?
If not, you could be missing out on vital information about the safety of products – or even urgent recalls where serious risks have been identified.
The website Register my Appliance includes a list of products that have either been recalled or need urgent repairs, including seven models of tumble driers that pose fire risks and gas cookers and hobs that come with warnings of potential gas leaks, fire, explosions and poisoning.
"Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that all electrical installations and appliances in their properties are in safe working order,” said Meera Chindooroy, the NRLA’s deputy director for campaigns, public affairs and policy. “Registering your white goods is a simple way you can make sure you are informed of any known safety issues and can take action quickly if needed.”
Next week marks Register My Appliance Week an awareness campaign urging landlords to take a few minutes to register equipment in their rental properties – a simple step that could save lives. Its existing recall safety.
Quick, free and essential
The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMEDA) which runs the awareness week and the Register my Appliance website stressed recalls on home appliances are rare and that in many cases a simple, free, in-home adjustment by a qualified engineer can ensure a longer and safer life for machines.
However, this is only possible only if manufacturers know where to find them and how to get in contact with you.
Unlike cars, for which logging details is mandatory, an estimated 40 million large appliances remain unregistered and untraceable.
Registration covers both new purchases and older appliances – with most manufacturers accepting registration of equipment up to 12 years old or even older.
AMDEA's Register My Appliance portal offers online access to more than 70 leading brands, requiring only your name, address, and appliance model details and to register appliances in your rental properties, click here.
What are my obligations around portable appliance testing (PAT)?
A portable appliance is any appliance that can be unplugged from a power supply and moved and when you provide electrical appliances as part of a tenancy agreement, the law requires they're maintained 'to a level which does not cause harm to the tenant’. While landlords aren't legally required to conduct Electrical Equipment Testing (known as PAT tests) unless it's a licensing condition, the HSE recommends visual inspections to ensure appliances are safe.
Who should conduct the checks?
Landlords can carry out their own checks, with the NRLA's Training Academy offering a Portable Appliance Testing course, as well as guidance for members.
However, if you don't feel comfortable doing this, you can employ a professional to do the work for you.
If you’re looking for a qualified person to test appliances for you and provide the relevant certificates, the NRLA’s compliance arm, Safe2 can help. With a 5% discount for NRLA members on all property safety certificates arranged, click here to get started.
