Plain English is enough. Say where the fault is, what stopped, what still works and what happened just before it began. Sending details is an enquiry, not a booking.

Before you send details: stop using anything that is hot, sparking, smoking or smelling of burning. If a breaker trips again straight away, stop resetting it and use the emergency electrician page first.

Copy this short template

  • Postcode / room or point / what stopped / what still works / when it began / repeatable trigger / weather or recent work / model if relevant / warning signs yes or no.
  • Example: Kitchen sockets went off; lights still work; the RCD trips when the garden extension is connected; it started after rain; no heat or smell.
  • For several faults, use one line for each room or point. You do not need electrical terms.

Safe photos only

  • Photos are optional. Keep every cover in place and use only normal, dry, safe access.
  • Do not move heavy furniture, use a stepladder, approach wet equipment or touch a damaged point to take a photo.
  • Heat, smoke, sparking, a burning smell, water at equipment or protection that will not reset needs call-first guidance instead of a routine enquiry.
Official sources and further guidance

Need a first fault-finding answer?

Copy the postcode, room, symptom, trigger, weather or recent-work template. Add a safe cover-on photo only if useful.