Landlords - Onsite Electrical Ltd

Landlord Electrical Responsibilites

Landlords have a legal duty to ensure that their rental property, and any electrical equipment provided, is safe before a tenancy begins and throughout its duration.

New Electrical Regulations for Private Tenancies from 1st July 2020:

Regulations for rental properties were changed with effect from 1st July 2020.

From 1st July 2020, all new private tenancies in England should ensure that electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified person before the tenancy begins. For existing tenancies, an electrical safety test should have been carried out by 1st April 2021.

Under these new laws, Landlords must adhere to a series of strict regulations before and during their tenants rental period.

Landlords are required by law to ensure the following:

An inspection and test is to be carried out by a qualified person on the electrical installation to ensure that it is in a safe condition for when tenants move in
Any remedial works highlighted in the inspection must be carried out within 28 days of the test to ensure that a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
That the electrical installation in a rented property is maintained in a safe condition throughout its tenancy duration and is inspected and tested at least every five years.
That a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has an electrical inspection carried out on the property every five years.
That any appliance provided is safe and has at least the CE marking (which is the manufacturer’s claim that it meets all the requirements of European Law)
Landlords should ensure they keep copies of the certificate for the tenants and local authorities in case it’s requested.

What to do in the event of an unsatisfactory report

Once your inspection is carried out, you will only receive a certificate if your electrical system is considered safe. If you receive an unsatisfactory report, as a landlord you must ensure that the work is carried out by a qualified and competent electrician within 28 days of the report date (or of the specified period within the report).

Once this has been completed, as a landlord you must obtain written confirmation from a qualified electrician that after further works have been carried out, the electrical safety standards have been met. you must also supply this confirmation alongside the original report to each existing tenant. This report should also be sent to your local authority within 28 days of completion of remedial works.

Consequences of breaching your landlord duty

It is up to the local authority to enforce these regulations, and if they are found to be breached, a financial penalty of up to £30,000 can be handed to the landlord. Alongside a financial penalty, local authorities are able to serve remedial notices on a private landlord. If these are ignored and no action has been taken within 28 days, the local authority may arrange remedial work to be completed with the consent of the tenant with the landlord being liable for the costs.

If you are a landlord in need of an Electrical Inspection Safety Report, get in contact with Onsite Electrical Ltd today.