From 1 April 2021 it will be a statutory requirement for all landlords to carry out electrical safety tests and issue electrical safety reports to tenants for all private tenancies in England.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations”), which came into force on 1 June 2020, initially only placed a statutory duty on new tenancies commencing from 1 July 2020, however from 1 April this will now be extended to all new and existing tenancies.
The government has implemented these Regulations to improve safety standards for tenants across the private rented sector. The Regulations require a qualified inspector to test fixed electrical installations in a rented property to ensure they meet adequate safety standards at least once every five years.
Landlords must obtain an electrical safety report from the individual conducting the inspection, which outlines if the installations meet the required safety standards or require any remedial work. A copy of this report must also be issued to tenants within 28 days.
If any safety issues are found from the inspection, landlords must ensure that remedial work is carried out and supply written confirmation of the completed work to the relevant tenants and local authority within 28 days of it having been carried out.
Landlords who fail to comply with the Regulations could face a fine of up to £30,000 from their local authority, therefore it is essential for landlords to ensure that they are familiar with these obligations and ensure that they adhered to efficiently and on time. Official guidance for landlords can be found here.
Our experienced Residential Real Estate team routinely handle all aspects of landlord and tenant work and can provide you with clear, up-to-date advice on your legal obligations and duties as a landlord. If you would like to find out more about the new regulations on electrical safety reports, get in touch with us at enquiries@lawstep.co.uk for further information.