Landlord Appliance Safety Rules in Wales: What Renters Need to Know

Staying safe in your rental home is important—and you may wonder exactly what appliance checks landlords are required to carry out in Wales. As a Welsh renter, it’s vital to know how the law protects you when it comes to electrical and gas appliances, including what tests landlords must do, what certificates to expect, and how to get help if things go wrong.

Are Landlords Legally Required to Test Appliances in Wales?

In Wales, landlords have clear legal responsibilities under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and secondary regulations such as the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022.^1,2 When you rent a property (under a standard occupation contract, which has mostly replaced older tenancies in Wales), it's your landlord's duty to ensure the home—and its supplied appliances—are safe. But what does that mean in practice?

Electrical Appliance Testing

Landlords must ensure the electrical installation is safe at the start and throughout your occupation. This covers things like sockets, wiring, and consumer units. However, the law does not currently require landlords to carry out periodic testing (PAT testing) of portable appliances (like kettles or toasters) supplied with the property.²

• Landlords must keep all fixed electrical installations safe and supply a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years.
• There is no legal requirement for PAT testing (portable appliance testing) in Welsh rented homes, though some landlords may do this voluntarily.

Gas Appliances and Safety Checks

For gas appliances (boilers, cookers, fires), the rules are stricter. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require landlords to:

• Arrange an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Provide you with a copy of the Gas Safety Record before you move in, and within 28 days after each annual check.
• Keep all gas appliances, pipes, and flues in safe condition.

Fire Safety and Supplied Appliances

All landlords must provide a property that is "fit for human habitation," including being free from fire hazards. If your landlord supplies furniture or electrical appliances, these items should comply with fire safety standards set by law and be in safe working order when you move in.

Which Official Documents Should You Receive?

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): This should be given to you at the start of the contract and renewed every 5 years. EICR guidance for Wales.
• Gas Safety Record: Issued after annual gas checks. Your landlord must provide this within 28 days of each check. Required if there are any gas appliances.

If you have not received these certificates, ask your landlord directly, and keep records of your request.

What to Do If You Have Appliance Safety Concerns

If you think an appliance is unsafe or faulty, take these steps:

• Report the issue to your landlord or letting agent in writing. Explain the concern and ask for urgent attention.
• Keep notes and copies of all communications and photos if relevant.
• If you do not get a prompt response, contact your local council’s Environmental Health department. They have the power to inspect rental properties and order repairs if the home is not fit for occupation.

Remember: As a renter in Wales, you never need to arrange or pay for mandatory electrical or gas appliance safety checks—this is always the landlord’s responsibility.

Relevant Official Forms and How to Use Them

• RHW2: Fitness for Human Habitation Complaint Form
  When to use: If your landlord is not responding to appliance safety complaints, use this form to report your concern to Rent Smart Wales for enforcement.
  Example: If your landlord refuses to provide a Gas Safety Record and your boiler seems faulty, fill in the RHW2 form detailing your issue.
  Download RHW2 from Rent Smart Wales

The main tribunal for housing disputes in Wales is the Residential Property Tribunal Wales. They can decide on serious safety disputes between renters and landlords.

FAQ: Appliance Safety and Testing for Renters in Wales

1. Are landlords in Wales required to PAT test appliances like kettles and toasters?
   No, there is no legal requirement for landlords to conduct PAT (portable appliance) testing. However, they must ensure all supplied appliances are safe at the start of your contract.
2. What appliance safety certificates should my landlord give me?
   You should be given a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and, if there are gas appliances, an annual Gas Safety Record.
3. What should I do if I think a supplied appliance is unsafe?
   Inform your landlord in writing first. If not resolved, contact the local council's Environmental Health team or use the RHW2 form for formal complaints.
4. Who checks if my rental home is safe and fit to live in?
   Your local council’s Environmental Health department is responsible for investigating complaints about safety and fitness of rented homes in Wales.
5. How can I escalate a dispute about appliance safety in my rental?
   If informal complaints do not resolve the issue, and the council cannot help, you may apply to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales for a decision.

Conclusion: Key Points for Appliance Safety in Welsh Rented Homes

• Landlords must carry out annual gas safety checks and provide an EICR for electrical installations, but PAT testing portable appliances is not mandatory.
• Always receive official safety certificates and contact your landlord promptly over any appliance concerns.
• You can use official complaint pathways if your landlord fails in these duties—including local councils, Rent Smart Wales, and the Residential Property Tribunal.

By staying informed and proactive, you can help keep your rented home safe under Welsh law.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Welsh Government Housing Information
• Rent Smart Wales (Landlord and Property Registration)
• Residential Property Tribunal Wales
• Citizens Advice Wales: Housing
• Contact your local authority Environmental Health department for property condition complaints

---

1. Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
2. Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022
3. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Categories

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Rent, Deposits & Increases Tenancy Types & Agreements Moving In & Out Procedures Repairs, Maintenance & Housing Standards Eviction Notices & Repossessions Shared Housing, HMOs & Lodgers Discrimination, Harassment & Accessibility Utilities, Bills & Council Tax Affordable Housing, Social Housing & Benefits Dispute Resolution & Housing Tribunals Health, Safety & Fire Regulations Privacy, Landlord Entry & Surveillance Unusual & Special Tenancy Situations Renters’ Insurance & Liability Homelessness Support & Post-Eviction Help Landlord Duties, Licensing & Penalties Housing Law, Legal Updates & Case Studies Mental Health, Disability & Vulnerable Renters’ Rights Rent Repayment Orders & Compensation