If you decide to rent out your property, there are a number of point you should consider. The SRU law of December 13, 2000 states that all landlords must provide decent housing in good working order, including, in particular, an installation and an electricity network in good condition.
Indeed, a rental property whose electrical installation does not comply with current standards can endanger the lives of its tenants. It has been shown that one in three fires has an electrical cause.
What are your obligations and responsibilities in terms of electrical safety? What are the standards that must be met? Who should make the diagnosis? How long is it valid? What are the penalties?
This is what we will see in the following sections.
The electrical diagnosis
To know if an electrical installation is dangerous, an electrical diagnosis must be performed. This diagnosis assesses the risks that could endanger the safety of people and their property.
| In case of sale | In case of rental | |
| The condition of the indoor electricity installation | This diagnosis must be integrated into the various diagnoses formed by the technical diagnosis file (DDT) which is given to the buyer at the time of signing the promise of sale or the deed of sale.
A certificate of conformity from the National Committee for the Safety of Electricity Users (Consuel) can replace the state of indoor electricity installation if the certificate is less than 3 years old. |
This diagnosis is to be integrated into the various diagnoses formed by the technical diagnosis file (DDT) which is given to the tenant when signing the promise of sale or the deed of sale.
A certificate of conformity from the National Committee for the Safety of Electricity Users (Consuel) can replace the state of indoor installation of electricity if the certificate is less than 6 years old. |
| Concerned properties | The condition of the indoor electricity installation is mandatory for all residential leases once the electricity installation is more than 15 years old. | |
| Who should perform the diagnosis |
The diagnosis has to be performed by a certified professional |
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| Validity period | The diagnosis is valid for up to 3 years after its completion. | The diagnosis is valid for up to 6 years after its completion. |
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Penalties incurred |
Penalties risked by:
The seller can be held liable if he does not voluntarily provide the diagnosis or if he provides false information in the sale advertisement to mislead the prospective buyer. The purchaser may : – Have recourse to the court to request the cancellation of the sale or damages. – Appeal to the fraud service of the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). The DGCCRF may impose on the seller :
The seller may also be fined € 1,500 if he uses an uncertified diagnostician to carry out the diagnosis (€ 3,000 in case of renewal).
The notary can be held liable if he validated the sale in the absence of the diagnosis or with knowledge of false information misleading the future buyer. The buyer can : – Have recourse to the court to request the cancellation of the sale or damages – Appeal to the fraud service of the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). The DGCCRF may impose on the notary :
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Penalties risked by:
The lessor can be held liable if he does not voluntarily provide the diagnosis or if he provides false information in the rental advertisement to mislead the future tenant. The tenant may : – Have recourse to the court to request the cancellation of the lease or the reduction of the rental price. – Appeal to the fraud service of the Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes (DGCCRF). The DGCCRF may impose on the lessor :
The lessor may also be fined € 1,500 if he uses an uncertified diagnostician to carry out the diagnosis (€ 3,000 in case of renewal). |
| Penalties incurred |
If he commits a fault in the performance of his mission by not respecting the rules of the art and standards (for example, an incorrect diagnosis) he is obliged to compensate the buyer for the damage suffered. He may be fined € 1,500 if he works without certification (€ 3,000 in case of recidivism). |
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| What are the 6 points to be checked? | 1. Presence of a general control and protection device for the installation. This must be accessible to interrupt the power supply in the event of an incident or intervention in the installation.
2. Presence of an earth connection associated with a differential device at the origin of the installation. 3. Presence of a switchboard with circuit breakers or circuit breakers suitable for the conductors. 4. An electrical installation suitable for rooms containing a bathtub or a shower and in particular, an earth connection. 5. The absence of materials unsuitable for use or that present a risk of contact with live parts. 6. Insulated conductors. |
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Standards and rules for the electrical installation of a bathroom
The electrical installation in a bathroom should not be taken lightly. Indeed, it is a room where water coexists with electrical appliances. Thus, to avoid any risk of electrocution or short circuit, certain standards must be observed.
Electrical work in a bathroom must therefore be carried out in compliance with two standards:
- Standard NF C 15-100: the reference standard since 2015. It is essential in the bathroom, as in the kitchen and all other rooms of your home. It distinguishes between the electrical safety volumes 0, 1 and 2 which determine what electrical equipment is prohibited or authorized and at what distance.
- IP protection: these degrees of protection indicate the resistance of electrical equipment to solid bodies and liquid bodies.
| Electric volume | Description / Definition | Rules / Norms to be respected |
| VOLUME 0 | For an Italian shower without a tray | Absolutely no electrical device can be installed in an Italian shower or in a shower without a tray. |
| VOLUME 1 | Space above bath or shower | Must not exceed 2.25m in height.
Authorized / tolerated electrical appliances: – lights, switches supplied with 12 V SELV; – electric water heater (minimum IPx5). |
| VOLUME 2 | Space around the tub or shower | Must be 60 cm minimum and 3 m maximum height
Authorized devices: – Class II heaters; – Class II lights; – Electric shaver sockets from 20 to 50 VA (IPx4 minimum). |
| Hidden volume | Space under the bath or under the shower tray | It is strictly forbidden to place or install an electrical appliance there. |
| Out of volume | Space outside zones 0,1,2 and zones | Areas subject to very few restrictions.
Authorized / tolerated electrical appliances:
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Improve the electrical safety
There are three flaws that are often noticed:
- The absence of an earth terminal
- The absence of a residual 30 milli-ampere circuit breaker
- Insufficient distance between the water point and sockets and switches
To improve the security of your property, check these three criteria
Who is responsible for the electrical work?
The tenant assumes: small repairs, routine maintenance and damage.
Decree number 87-712 of August 26, 1987, provides that the repairs payable by the tenant are:
- Replacement of switches
- Power outlets
- Circuit breakers
- Fuses, bulbs and neon lights
- Replacement of rods and protective sheaths
Consumables are therefore the responsibility of the tenant; he is not responsible for electrical safety.
The anomalies are therefore the responsibility of the owner.