The vast majority of landlords in the UK are attuned to the need to comply with electrical safety regulations and ensure that the electrical installations in their rental properties are regularly tested. As well as ensuring compliance with government guidelines, regular fixed wire testing will make sure that insurance policies remain valid and also that tenants can move in knowing that they can live in their home safely.
The regulations, which have been in force for all rental properties since 1 June 2020, require that landlords have their electrical installations checked at least every five years. The government’s view is that regulations such as these are helping to level up the private rental sector by giving tenants confidence that whatever their budget and whatever the style and age of the property that they’re occupying, there should be no issues with electrical safety, allowing them to live in their chosen property without risk of electrical shock or fire.
Under the regulations, any landlord privately renting their accommodation is required to:
- meet national standards for electrical safety as laid out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671
- arrange for the inspection and testing of their electrical installations by a qualified and competent person at least every five years
- obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (or EICR) from the electrical safety testing specialist that outlines the test results and publishes a date when the next inspection and test are due
- give a copy of the report to the current tenant within 28 days or to a new tenant before they move in
- provide a copy of the report to a tenant within 28 days of them requesting it
- deliver a copy of the report to the local authority within seven days of it being requested
- keep a copy of the final report to hand to the specialist when the next test is carried out
- complete any remedial work or requirement for further investigation identified in the report within 28 days and then inform the tenant and local authority within 28 days of this being completed
The regulations are relevant to any property that is privately rented and occupied by a tenant, whether that’s a single person, couple, family or House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This also includes assured shorthold tenancies and licences to occupy.
The fixed wire test will examine the overall installation, including the wiring, plug sockets, light fittings and the fuse box (consumer unit). It will identify any issues and review whether any overloads, shock risks and fire hazards exist. It will not include portable or fixed appliances, as their safety is covered during PAT testing, an annual test which is also advisable for landlords.
The report will identify issues and grade them as follows:
- Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. Where possible, these will be rectified before the inspector leaves the property
- Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous
- Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. The stipulation advises the landlord that the work in question isn’t remedial but should be considered
- Code FI: the inspection has revealed an apparent deficiency which may result in a code C1 or C2 but could not, due to the extent or limitations of the inspection, be fully identified. Such observations should be investigated as soon as possible
If any recommended remedial work isn’t undertaken within the necessary timeframe, the local authority may step in as the landlord will be in breach of the regulations. Such breaches carry a potential fine of £30,000.
At MS Electrical we specialise in fixed wire testing and PAT testing for landlords in and around Cambridge. Call us on 01223 850301 or complete our enquiry form to request a no-obligation quotation to help keep your tenants’ electrical safety in check.