R v London Borough of Lambeth [2003]

A tenant with a secure tenancy of a  flat owned by the local authority brought a claim that the electrical supply arrangements were unsafe and that, accordingly, the flat was unfit for human habitation.  Because there was only one spare 13 amp socket point in the kitchen, the tenant had purchased a gang socket hanging free from the single socket to run a kettle, toaster, television and washing machine. The tenant's solicitors had sought an expert opinion which stated that the hanging socket arrangement was unsafe and that the facilities for cooking of food were not satisfactory as a result.

HELD: The High Court examined the electrical and cooking arrangements and concluded that there were adequate facilities for the preparation of food and that the unsafe socket arrangements currently in place were a result of steps taken by the claimant. The court also rejected claims brought by the tenant under the Human Rights Act  1998.

This case, funded by legal aid, costed many tens of thousands of pounds in the High Court, whereas a minor expenditure of less than a hundred pounds could have paid for the electrical improvements.

Citation: R v London Borough of Lambeth [2003] EWHC 2479 (Admin)