Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that those permanently living in alternative housing (such as caravans, houseboats, tiny homes, and other non-traditional housing) are as safe from electricity in their homes as people living in traditional properties.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of tenure or agreement type.

Non-permanent structures separate from the land, such as mobile homes and houseboats, are legally defined as chattels rather than buildings. They are not 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. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA), goods should be as described, of a satisfactory quality, and fit for a particular purpose when they are purchased. The CRA 2015 applies to contracts entered into after the 1st October 2015 when the Act came into force.

As most non-traditional homes are owner-occupied there is no legal requirement for the owner to have the electrics checked in their property on a regular basis, though we would recommend they do so.

On mobile home sites, the owner must ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence provided by the local authority, to ensure that proper health, safety and amenity standards are maintained.

The Government has no plans to introduce any specific schemes relating to electrical safety in non-traditional homes at this time.