Regular Electrical Safety Checks for Private Landlords Set to Be Introduced Next Year

On 29 January 2019, the government announced plans to introduce new electrical safety rules for private rented accommodation in England. We expect these changes to come into force next year and increase the need for regular inspections of private rented accommodation.

The private rented sector (PRS) is currently the second-largest rental sector in the UK, with 4.7 million households, or 20% of all households.

In 2018, we launched a consultation on electrical safety in the PRS. Comments and feedback were sought on the recommendations of the Electrical Safety Standards Working Group, which recommends a mandatory five-year inspection of power lines in the private rented sector. Other recommendations include the introduction of a new competent person system.

The report “Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector” sets out the government’s response to the consultation, which attracted 582 responses from a number of organizations and individuals in the sector. These included electrical installers (149 individuals), letting agencies, charities, and local authorities, as well as private landlords (231 individuals), tenants, and firefighters.

Of those who responded

• 73% of respondents felt that landlords should be. Legally required to carry out safety checks on electrical installations in utility accommodation.
• 57% of respondents felt that electrical installations should be subject to mandatory inspection at least every five years.
• ECR notification requirements – 64% of respondents favored a phased introduction of the legal requirement, starting with a new lease and then an existing lease.
• 49% disagreed with the idea of having a system of electrical inspectors in the private rental sector, separate from the existing system of building inspectors.

In order to assist landlords working in England and Scotland, the government agreed that the new guide would be broadly consistent with the existing regulations that will apply in Scotland from December 1, 2015.

Current safety requirements

Currently, landlords are not required to submit an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years. Under the latest regulations, landlords must ensure that the electrical installations in their dwellings are in a good and safe condition. However, in apartment buildings (HMOs), landlords are. Legally required to conduct a regular inspection every five years.

New rules

To ensure the safety of tenants, the government has introduced a mandatory five-year electrical inspection (EICR). For new or fully renovated buildings, an electrical installation certificate is. Accepted instead of the EICR, provided that the date of the next inspection. Indicated on the certificate is. Not exceeded.

Read: What Should I Do If I Have Not Passed An EICR Inspection?

A new implementation date has not yet been set, but the report indicates that the legal requirements will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits, giving the industry at least six months to familiarize itself with the new obligations before they come into effect.

The first two years will be a transition period. The first year will apply only to new private rental premises and. Beginning in the second year, to all existing private rental premises.

Appliances for which an electrical condition report is available will not have to be. Replaced within five years of the report being prepared.

Landlords are also required by law to ensure that the inspectors they hire. To perform safety inspections are competent and qualified. New guidelines will be. Issued defining the minimum skills and qualifications required to perform these inspections.

Heavy penalties for landlords who fail to comply

The government has warned that landlords who fail to comply with the new rules face heavy fines and other penalties. For example, if a landlord fails to provide an electrical safety report at the beginning of a lease. Or fails to conduct a five-year inspection of its electrical facilities. The landlord’s right to issue a Section 21 termination notice may be. Suspended.

Be Ready!

Hopefully, C&G 2391-52 Inspection and Testing Qualifications will become an industry requirement for electricians to produce such reports.

With that in mind, now is a good time for electricians to get certified. To meet the growing requirements of lessors.

About Author

Sara has completed her Master’s in marketing and started her career as a digital marketer. She is a content writer by profession. She writes about safety certificates for property in the UK like landlord certificates