The publication of a new report to ministers on electrical safety has been warmly welcomed by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

The report, produced by a working group which included the RLA, recommends that the installation of Residual Current Devices (RCDs) by landlords ‘should be encouraged as good practice and set out in guidance’, which was a key suggestion by the trade body.

RCDs are safety devices designed to prevent people from getting a fatal electric shock from faulty appliances and wiring.

The working group agreed that there is a need to support the creation of specific private rented sector trained electricians in recognition of the unique electrical challenges in many rental properties, especially homes which can often have multi people in them using a large number of devices at the same time.

“We welcome the publication of the working group’s report and the focus it has rightly given on the importance of electrical safety,” said RLA vice chairman, Chris Town, who sat on the working group.

He added: “It is pleasing that the final report contains a number of recommendations put forward by the RLA, and we look forward to working with Ministers to ensure adoption of sensible and pragmatic changes that will improve safety in rental housing.”