Electrics not tested at up to 2,600 council homes

Tandridge District Council said it had now begun carrying out electrical installation condition reports across its properties

A Surrey council has referred itself to the social housing regulator for failing to carry out mandatory electrical testing at its residential properties.

Tandridge District Council said it had begun a "major programme" to complete electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) across its social housing after discovering the testing "had not been correctly implemented".

The authority has referred itself to the Regulator of Social Housing and will be contacting council tenants to tell them when their property will be tested.

Councillor Jeremy Pursehouse said: "We take residents' safety extremely seriously and are determined to keep raising the quality of our council homes."

The council said it realised the testing had not been done during "a reorganisation and as part of an ongoing review of the housing service".

Mr Pursehouse added: "In line with best practice and for transparency we are making this self-referral to, and working with, the Regulator of Social Housing, as the independent organisation responsible for driving improvements in social housing through robust regulation.

"We are sorry for the delay in carrying out these tests but tenants can be reassured this work is underway."

The authority said the tests are part of work to improve its 2,600 council homes, which also includes the creation of a new residents' forum, a damp and mould prevention service and procurement of various repairs and maintenance contracts.

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