As a Landlord, it is your legal duty to ensure all electrical equipment in your property is safe and maintained throughout the whole tenancy.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020 and apply to all tenancies created on or after that date in England from 1 July 2020.
These new regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected at least every 5 years and tested by a person who is qualified and competent. Landlords will also have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants as well as to the local authority if requested.
The vast majority of Landlords in Sleaford will already check their installations regularly as they want to keep their tenants as safe as possible. However, to ensure everyone is clear on what the new regulations mean, we have provided the following guide for a little more detail:
What do the regulations mean for me?
- Electrical installations must be inspected and tested prior to the start of a new tenancy from 1st July 2020
- Checks must be undertaken on any existing tenancies by 1st April 2021
These checks then need to be carried out at intervals of no more than 5 years.
What goes on in an inspection?
A periodic inspection checks the condition of an existing electrical installation against BS 7671, the UK Standard for the safety of electrical installations. Tests are also carried out on the installation to check that it is safe.
What happens next?
You’re legally obliged to supply a copy of the inspection and test report (EICR) to new, existing and prospective tenants, as well as your local authority if they ask for it.
If the inspection reveals any action that needs to be taken, it needs to be carried out within 28 days. More specifically:
- Existing tenants: within 28 days of the inspection and test
- New tenants: before they occupy the premises
- Prospective tenants: within 28 days of receiving a request
- Local authority: within seven days of receiving a request
The work must meet British Standard BS 7671, with appropriate certification issued.
The report should set a date for your next inspection and test, and you’ll need to keep a copy for the next inspector.
Who can carry out the testing?
It is the Landlord’s responsibility to make sure the person doing the testing is suitably qualified and competent. Using an electrician or firm that is a member of an accredited registration scheme operated by a recognised body will give you the confidence that this has been achieved.
What happens if I don’t comply with these regulations?
Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to prosecution and also invalidates most landlord insurance policies. You could also face a fine from the local authority of up to £30,000. But worst of all you could be putting the lives of your tenants in danger.
If you are a Landlord in Sleaford, put your mind at rest by ensuring that your tenants(s), and anyone else entering your property are not put at risk. We can make sure the electrical installations are in a safe and serviceable condition.
Please call us today to discuss your Landlord’s electrical safety check in Sleaford.
