Electrical safety in the private rented sector.

Electrical safety within the private rented sector is now a legal requirement. As of the 1st of July 2020, all new tenancies must ensure the national safety standards set out in the current edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’ (British Standard 7671) at the time of inspection are met.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every five years. They must also provide a copy of the report (known as the Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR) to tenants, and to the local authority if requested. Should the result of an EICR require investigative or remedial works, landlords will have to carry this out.

Your responsibilities as a landlord

Landlords of privately rented accommodation, including houses in multiple occupation, must:

• Ensure national electrical safety standards set out in the 18th Edition Amendment 2 of the wiring regulations (BS 7671) are met.
• Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
• Obtain a detailed report from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
• Supply a copy of this report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises.
• Supply a copy of this report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
• Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days upon receiving a request for a copy.
• Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
• Where the report shows that remedial or further investigation work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days — or a shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
• Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority (if requested) within 28 days of completion of the works.

These regulations apply to private landlords for all new specified tenancies from 1st July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. Local Authorities are required to enforce the legislation and can impose a hefty penalty for a breach of these Regulations — where there are multiple breaches, they can impose multiple penalties.

Unlike the Gas safety check, this inspection is far more involved and, if carried out correctly, should take on average an hour per circuit depending on the property type and number of accessories on each circuit.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detection

You may or may not be aware that, from October 2015 and amended in 2022, landlords are required by law to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every inhabited floor of their properties, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a coal fire or wood burning stove). Gas fired boilers also produce carbon monoxide which may leak in the event of a fault. The landlord must then make sure that the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy and maintained over longer tenancies.

If a detector is older than 10 years it can become less sensitive to smoke particles but still appear to be operational. It is recommended by manufacturers that any alarm detector is replaced after this period to ensure correct operation. We can provide an installation service and/or a maintenance service if you already have a system in place.