Mandatory Electrical Inspections for Private Rented Properties
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1st June 2020 and require that landlords have electrical installations in their rented properties checked at least every 5 years by a properly qualified & competent person. The condition of electrical installation must meet the necessary safety standards for continued use, and landlords must give their tenants proof of this. New tenancies must comply from 1 July 2020 but there will be a nine month transition period to 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.
Who? What? When?
Private landlords are required under the new rules to make sure that the necessary electrical safety standards are met during the periods that their residential properties are used under a specified tenancy.
Competent electrical contractors will have to be employed to inspect & test the installation and produce the necessary electrical inspection reports before the tenancy commences. The person ordering the works (e.g. Landlord) has the responsibility to make sure that that the person who carries out the necessary inspection, tests and any remedial works is competent to do that work.
The purpose of the report is to confirm whether, or not the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued use. The report should identify any deterioration, damage, defect or conditions that may give rise to danger.
Electrical installations in privately rented properties will have to be inspected every five years and a new condition report will be required every five years unless a previous report identifies a reason to require another inspection earlier than the five year interval.
Electrical Safety Standards
Requirements for electrical installations are covered by BS7671, IET Wiring Regulations - 18th Edition which was published July 1st 2018. This standard sets out the requirements for inspection and testing that determines if the installation is safe for continued use or requires remedial works. The report must be given to the existing tenants and be available to the local authority, and to the person carrying out the next inspection and test.
Any conditions that are classed as C1 or C2 will result in an unsatisfactory outcome and remedial works will be required. Items identified as C3 may not result in an unsatisfactory outcome although improvements are usually recommended.
Remedial works should eb arranged with the tenant, with the landlord giving adequate notice to the tenants and completing the works within the periods permitted. Financial penalties up to maximum of £30,000 (per breach) can be levied if a landlord were to fail to comply with these regulations
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