Electrical Issues
Electrical Issues
How does the central heating work?
- There are many different central heating systems in our homes so we can’t give you detailed advice here on how to make your heating work properly
- Please have a look at your heating manual for more information
- If you don’t have a manual, call us (click here for the numbers) and we’ll send you one
What do I do if a plug / plug socket is not working?
- If there’s a problem with a plug socket (the socket is the bit that’s in the wall), ring us and we’ll sort it out
- But if there’s a problem with the plug itself, you’ll have to solve the problem
- Each plug needs a fuse to make it work
- We don’t supply plugs. You have to buy them yourself
- You also need to buy the fuses
- Fuses come in different sizes. You need to use the right one for the appliance
- You’ll find out what is needed on the plug or on the wire coming from the appliance
- Don’t overload sockets with multi-plugs or multi-plug extension leads
What causes a trip or a fuse to blow?
- Some of the common reasons, and things to avoid are:
- Too many appliances being used at the same time
- A faulty electrical appliance (or one that’s not being used in the right way)
- Over filled kettles
- Unclean toasters
- Cooker rings worn out or cracked
- Faulty immersion heaters
- Faulty connections on leads to appliances, like computers, TV, etc
- Light bulbs blowing
How do I workout what's causing the fuse box to trip?
- The fuse box/consumer unit may show you which room or area is tripping (the areas they link to are sometimes named in the box)
- If it does, you can just concentrate on that area
- If it doesn’t, you’ll have to look at it room by room
- Go around the house looking for the room where either the lights or the things plugged in aren’t working
- Unplug everything in that room and switch off the immersion heater too
- Switch the tripped switch to the ON position again
- And then plug things in again one by one until the trip goes again
- When it goes off again, you’ll know the last thing you put in was what’s causing the problem
- If it is one of our appliances, report it to us as a repair.
What do I do if the a switch is tripped?
- Open the cover on the consumer unit (which most people call the fuse box) to show the switches
- The consumer unit is usually next to the electricity meter
- Check which switches have tripped to the OFF position and put them back to the ON position. If you need any help call us on 0208 221 4000.
- If it trips again, this probably means that you have a problem with something you have plugged in and you will need to work out what it is (see the next section for more help)
How do I find out if a fuse has blown or if the system has tripped a switch?
- Check your consumer unit or fuse box: it will either have fuses or trip switches
- Modern electric circuits are fitted with a circuit breaker fuse system, which means if there’s a problem with your electrics (or something plugged into it) it will automatically go off
What do I do if the power or lights go off?
- Your electricity can go off for many different reasons. It may be a problem with a fuse or something you’ve had plugged in, or a problem with your mains supply. Warning:
- Never touch the electricity company’s fuse and seals
- If you’re not sure what to do, contact us. Click here for the numbers.
How do I turn off the electricity?
- If you need to turn off all the electricity (because water has got in or for some other reason), use the main ON/OFF switch on the consumer unit, which some people call the fuse box
What do I do if the electrics get wet?
- Do not touch the plugs or appliances but turn it off at the meter, if that is still dry and safe
- If you’re not sure how to do this then please do not touch the meter. We’ll arrange for an electrician to come to you
How can I save energy?
- We all know that energy is expensive, so here are some tips on how to save money and make running your home cheaper. There are some simple ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint around your home:
- If you have central heating turn down the main thermostat a couple of degrees and use the timer to keep the temperature constant. It’s cheaper to keep a room a constant temperature than heat from cold several times a day
- If your home gets so hot you need to open windows to cool it down you’re wasting energy. Experiment with temperatures that you’re comfortable with, try starting at 20°C
- If when you run a basin of hot water you have to add lots of cold water to avoid burning yourself, then the hot water thermostat is too high, turn it down a few degrees
- Avoid using a tumble dryer. Using a washing line is cheaper. If you have to use a tumble dryer and space permitting, use a stand alone dryer as it is more energy efficient than using a washer/dryer combination
- When boiling a kettle only fill it with the amount of water you need; boiling a whole kettle of water for one cup of tea boil wastes a load of energy (and a lot of water, if you empty the kettle each time you boil it)
Report a Repair
As your landlord, by law, we have to carry out certain repairs. But tenants are responsible for other repairs. To make sure the house stays in good condition we have to work together.
Pay Rent
Before you move into your new home we will talk to you about how you are going to make your rent payments, talk to you about your income and help you to plan a budget.