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Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector

July 2020

New Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. 

Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested.

Failure to provide tenants with an electrical safety report at the start of their tenancies will not invalidate a s.21 notice to terminate the tenancy, unlike evidence of failure to provide tenants with EPCs and gas safety certificates. 

The electrical safety report will need to be supplied to new tenants before they move in, to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and test and to any prospective tenant within 28 days of their request to view the report. 

Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, Landlords are to complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.

The local authority have the power to demand sight of the report which landlords should provide within 7 days of request or they face a civil penalty up to a maximum of £30,000, with the potential for multiple penalties for a continuing failure.