New government legislation states that landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The Regulations also state that a landlord is required to obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test, supply it to each tenant within 28 days and retain a copy until the next inspection is due.

Rewiring your property can be a job that is quite involved, from lifting floorboards to chasing within the walls. Here is some tell tale signs that your property could be due an electrical rewire.

Probably the most easiest to spot, do your electrical faceplates look old? 

Whilst having an older fusebox does not mean you need to rewire, it is a good way of judging the age of your current electrical installation

Are you forever replacing Fuses/fuse wire? This could be a sign there is an underlying electrical fault or issue.

Do your light pendants have twisted braided cable? 

Older electrical installations were not designed to accommodate the amount of appliances we have today. If you are constantly finding it hard to find a socket and overusing extension leads? Older installations generally only feature single socket outlets rather than standard 13 amp double socket outlets that we use today.

Is the insulation that covers the copper cores damaged? Do you have VIR or rubber cable installed at your property? If so, these are required to be replaced due to becoming brittle and damaged with age.

Pre-1970's electrical installations may not have an earth to the lighting circuit, whilst this is fine if all your switches and light fittings are plastic it is a good sign that your wiring is over 40 years old.