It was a major step forward for the rental sector when the government introduced the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 legislation. Under that legislation it became compulsory for landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years. It also stipulated that every landlord must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenant(s), and to their local authority if asked to do so.
But what do the regulations actually require? In summary, landlords must:
- ensure that the national standards for electrical safety laid out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’ (published as British Standard 7671) are adhered to
- ensure that the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years
- obtain a report from the person who conducts the inspection and test. This report must detail the findings and set a date for the next inspection and test
- give a copy of this report to the existing tenant no later than 28 days after the inspection and test have been carried out
- ensure that a new tenant receives a copy of the report before they move in
- supply a copy of the report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report
- forward a copy of the report to the local authority within seven days of receiving a request for a copy
- keep a copy of the report to hand to the supplier carrying out the next inspection and test
- undertake and complete any remedial work or further investigations specified in the report within 28 days (or sooner if requested in the report)
- provide confirmation in writing to the tenant and, where relevant, local authority that the remedial works have been carried out within 28 days of completion of the works
For Mark Smith, owner of MS Electrical, the legislation has made a huge difference to the rental sector and its electrical safety, but there is still work to do. ‘Here at MS Electrical we’re finding that landlords are still catching up with the new legislation,’ says Mark. ‘Good landlords were of course already undertaking regular fixed wire tests, and as a result were putting right any faults and communicating this to their tenants, thus ensuring that their properties are safe and secure from an electrical perspective. But there are still many rented properties that are not conforming and we would encourage any landlords who need help and guidance in this area to give us a call.’
MS Electrical Services is a specialist electrical safety testing company offering EICRs and fixed wire testing for landlords in Cambridge. To request a no-obligation quotation, please call us on 01223 850301 or complete our enquiry form.