Written question WQ95598
- Asked by
- Mark IsherwoodConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 11 days
Question
What plans does the Welsh Government have to ensure that people permanently living in alternative housing, such as caravans, houseboats, tiny homes, and non-traditional housing, are as safe from the dangers of electricity in their homes as people living in traditional properties?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
The Welsh Government has no plans to introduce any specific schemes relating to electrical safety in non-traditional homes at this time.
Most non-traditional homes would not be classed as a permanent structure and would not therefore be subject to the legal framework in the Building Regulations, which covers electrical installation work. They are, however, subject to consumer protection legislation in the same way as any other consumer goods.
As most non-traditional home residents are owner-occupiers, there is no legal requirement for the owner to have the electric installations in their property checked on a regular basis, though I would strongly recommend they do so, using a suitably qualified electrician.
Mobile Home site owners must ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence provided by the local authority, to ensure that proper health and safety standards are maintained.