- Programme of checks to council homes complete
- Checks carried out by qualified electricians
- Working to keep council homes safe
Tamworth Borough Council has completed the first of a rolling five-year programme of vital electrical safety checks with 98% of the scheduled 1919 council properties successfully accessed.
Delivered in partnership with specialist electrical contractor GOOM Electrical Limited the project started October last year, has delivered essential work by qualified electricians.
Electrical checks on tenants’ homes are due every five years and are vital to make sure home electrics are safe as half of domestic fires start because of electrics or electrical items.
For tenants, the checks are free, and involved a full check of the building wiring, sockets, units and repairs for any issues found.
This work forms part of the council’s standard work to make sure homes remain safe and secure for all tenants, and compliant with rigorous health and safety laws.
Tenants in homes which are due for the next list of electrical checks, will be contacted to make a suitable appointment. This check significantly reduces the risk of fire from faulty wiring in the home.
Councillor Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning, said: "Electrical safety checks are essential to keeping our tenants safe, and form a key part of our commitment to maintaining council homes to a high standard.
“We're proud to be upholding the highest safety standards across our housing stock and grateful to our tenants for their continued cooperation.
“We're especially pleased that our contractors were able to access 98% of the allocated properties. This is a fantastic result that puts us in a strong position for the next phase of the programme.
“With faulty electrics causing around 4,000 house fires in the UK each year, ensuring the safety of wiring and electrical systems in our homes remains a top priority.
“Above all, the safety and wellbeing of our tenants is our number one priority."
Tamworth Borough Council has a regular programme of safety checks, improvements and upgrades including a standard programme of kitchen, bathroom and window improvements. Plus a 24/7 repairs hotline service so that all home repairs can be dealt with as soon as possible.
To report a repair, call 0800 183 0044. This number is staffed 24/7 and should also be used to report an out of hours repair in an emergency. Please note calls might be charged from a mobile. Or email the team at repairs@tamworth.gov.uk.
Tenants can monitor the status of the repair and review the repair history of their property in their MyHousing account.