Real Estate: The Alarming Condition of Electrical Systems

Unstable electrical outlets, exposed wires, outdated meters... According to the National Observatory for Electrical Safety (ONSE), a report published on Monday, April 22, by the association Promotelec and reported by *Le Parisien*, many French homes are said to have defects in their electrical systems.
 

Heavily Used Facilities

As a result, at least one electrical hazard was found in 83% of homes with electrical systems older than fifteen years. This figure rises to 90% for common areas in apartment buildings. This is a cause for concern, given that these defects can lead to serious harm: electric shock, electrocution, fire... Between 20 and 35 percent of residential fires are believed to be caused by electrical issues, as reported by the Paris-area newspaper.

“The main safety issues involve grounding problems and aging or inappropriate electrical equipment,” says Florence Delettre, executive director of Promotelec. In addition, experts are observing an ever-increasing use of electrical systems, driven in particular by the rise of rechargeable vehicles and digital devices, as well as the excessive use of power strips.
 

Tenants in precarious situations are the hardest hit

Among the “victims” of these installations—which do not always meet code—are the most disadvantaged. They face a combination of poor insulation, energy-inefficient heating systems, and dangerous electrical circuits. The situation is even more critical for tenants in multi-unit housing, who are not always able to get their voices heard by their landlords.

In its press release, Promotelec points out that the newer the homes are—or the more recently they have been renovated—the fewer irregularities the inspections reveal. “It is crucial that occupants realize the importance of the electrical system today and the need to make it safe, at the very least by having it inspected,” says Florence Delettre.