Electrical warning signs to report to your landlord
Electrical problems in a rental are your landlord's to fix, but you're the one who notices them. Report these right away.
Tell your landlord right away if
- breakers trip often
- lights flicker or dim
- an outlet feels warm or looks discolored
- an appliance smells like burning
- you see sparks from an outlet
Don't try to fix wiring yourself.
Know where the panel is
Find the breaker panel for your home, so you can tell maintenance which breaker tripped. If there's water near the panel, don't touch it. Call maintenance.
Space heaters and cords
Plug space heaters straight into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or a power strip. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.
If you see smoke or fire
Get out and call 911.
Rent your home? Get the free move-in safety checklist. Own or manage rentals? SaferResident gives every tenant a 20 minute course on this, built around your building.
Sources
- Electrical Safety in the Home, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety, U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
- What to Do to Protect Yourself From Electrical Hazards, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Heating Fire Safety, U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA)
Updated October 1, 2026. General safety information. It doesn't replace your building's safety systems, local codes or your lease. In an emergency, call 911.