Resident guidance & Policy information: All residents - Last updated 20 April 2026

Electrical safety in your home

Keeping your home electrically safe helps protect you, your family and your neighbours from fire, injury and damage.

This page explains how we keep your home’s electrical systems safe and what you can do to help reduce the risk of electrical faults and shocks in your home. You can also download our Electrical Safety Policy.

On this page you’ll find:

Anchor's Electrical Safety Policy
How Anchor keeps your home’s electrical systems safe
How you can minimise the risk of electrical faults and shocks in your home
Using electricity safely in your home
How to report electrical safety concerns to Anchor
Letting us know about electrical works in your home
How to get more help or advice on electrical safety or report a repair
Free advice on energy costs and running expenses

Anchor's Electrical Safety Policy

Our policy outlines our approach to electrical safety across our properties.

Electrical Safety Policy

How Anchor keeps your home’s electrical systems safe

We will carry out electrical safety checks (Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR) at least every five years in rented homes and communal areas, and homeownership communal areas (we do not do EICRs in individual homeownership properties as this isn’t a regulatory requirement). An EICR checks a property's electrical wiring and systems, it doesn’t check electrical items owned by residents. We’ll repair any C1 or C2* faults that are identified as part of the check within the required timescales and provide a copy of your EICR within 28 days
Where Anchor is responsible, we’ll repair faulty sockets, switches, wiring or fuse boxes
Where applicable, we’ll inspect and test Lightning Protection Systems in accordance with the current regulations
Where applicable, we’ll regularly service and maintain power‑operated gates, barriers and pedestrian doors in line with manufacturers’ guidelines and regulatory requirements
Anchor-owned electrical appliances used in communal areas will be purchased from reputable suppliers and safety tested by qualified electricians every two years.

Empty homes – we’ll carry out an electrical safety check in all empty homes before a new resident moves in.

*Faults are classified as either C1 - danger present; C2 - potentially dangerous; C3 - improvement recommended; FI - further investigation needed.

How you can help minimise the risk of electrical faults and shocks in your home

Many domestic fires are caused by electrical faults. Electric shocks in the home are a major cause of injury and can be fatal. It’s vital to look after electrical equipment – just because it works doesn’t mean it’s safe. Make sure you inspect electrical fittings and equipment to ensure they’re in good condition.

Using electricity safely in your home

Switch off appliances when not in use
Keep electrical items away from water (sinks, baths, windows)
Make sure appliances have a UK safety mark (such as the CE or UKCA mark)
Turn off decorative lights, for example Christmas lights, before going to bed or leaving home
If you use an electric blanket, ensure it is in working order with no frayed/damaged or exposed wires
Never leave an electric blanket on overnight unless it is designed for that purpose
Do not tamper with the fuse box or wiring
Do not carry out electrical work yourself
Do not use damaged appliances
Keep electric heaters away from furniture, curtains and bedding, and never dry washing on electric heaters
Please don’t use radiant electric fires as they can be unsafe
Look out for flickering lights, buzzing sounds or burning smells and report immediately.

Plug safety

Plugs should fit tightly into sockets
Their casing should be free from cracks
Watch out for burn marks or signs of overheating – plugs shouldn’t feel hot
The cable should be firmly secured in the plug
None of the pins should be bent
The cardboard label on the bottom of the plug should be removed before use
Plugs shouldn’t rattle.

Lead safety

Leads should be free from cuts, fraying and damage
Don’t use two or three-way multiway adaptors
If you’re using an extension lead, make sure it’s fully uncoiled
Never connect an extension cable to another extension cable
Flexible cables trailed under the carpets, rugs or across walkways are a potential fire risk as well as a trip hazard.

Socket safety

Sockets should be free from cracks or other damage
Check them for burn marks and signs of overheating
If sockets or switches are damaged or feel warm switch off the power
Do not overload sockets - this can cause a fire
Make sure they’re properly secured to the wall
Make sure the switch works properly.

What to do if a water leak affects your electricity

If you notice a water leak in your home and you’re worried it may affect your electrics, please tell us straight away so we can help. If it’s safe and you know how to do it, turn off the affected circuit or switch off the power at your main fuse board. Stay well away from any sockets, switches or electrical equipment that are wet or near the leak. Do not touch any electrical fittings until a qualified electrician has checked them and confirmed they are safe to use.

How to report electrical safety concerns to Anchor

If you notice anything that isn’t right, contact your location manager or the Customer Experience Hub on 0800 731 2020.

Letting us know about electrical works in your home

You must ask for permission before carrying out any electrical work in your home. Electrical work must always be carried out by an electrician registered with one of the following trade bodies: NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting), NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers), Benchmark, BSI (British Standards Institution), BESCA (Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment Ltd), Certsure, OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association), Stroma. You must also provide evidence that the person(s) carrying out electrical work is competent to do so.

Need help or advice, or to report a repair?

If you have concerns about your electricity or need to report a repair, please speak to your location manager or contact the Customer Experience Hub on 0800 731 2020.

Free advice on energy costs and running expenses

If you are worried about energy costs or running expenses, please contact our Be Wise team on 0800 023 4477 or [email protected] who can offer advice and support.