New Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS – Important Information for Landlords

HOP has been preparing our Landlords for new Electrical Safety Standards in the PRS since May 2018. During that time, we have helped our managed Landlords to not only be ready for this inevitable change, but also be proactive about ensuring the highest levels of Tenant safety.

The new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 has been published by the Government. It came into force as of 1st June 2020 and has been designed to to improve safety in all residential premises and will affect every Landlord.

Whilst regular testing has been mandatory for HMO’s, new legislation dictates that all properties across the private rented sector must adhere to new standards. The legislation requires Landlords to have the electrical installations within their properties inspected and tested, by a qualified and competent electrician, at least every 5 years.

We have been working alongside our preferred electrical contractors to provide better value for money for our Landlords and, by leveraging economies of scale, we’ve been able to agree favourable terms on pricing of the electrical certification.

The new legislation means that Landlords of privately rented accommodation must:

• • Ensure national standards for electrical safety are met. These are set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’, which are published as British Standard 7671.
  • Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
  • Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test, which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test.
  • Supply a copy of this report to the existing Tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
  • Supply a copy of this report to a new Tenant before they occupy the premises.
  • Supply a copy of this report to any prospective Tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for the report.
  • Supply the local authority with a copy of this report within 7 days of receiving a request for a copy.
  • Retain a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
  • Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
  • Supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.

The Regulations apply to new tenancies from 1st July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. The full Government guidance for Landlords can be found by clicking here.

What do Landlords need to do now?

If HOP already manages your property, then we will ensure you meet your legal obligations by automatically instructing an EICR at the beginning of every new Tenancy from 1st July 2020. If you already have a current EICR, please send us this report straight away so that we can file it and provide to new Tenants.

If we don’t already manage your property, now is a good time to consider moving to one of our fully managed services! As well as this new piece of legislation, there are over 150 pieces more that Landlords need to adhere to. Our property experts will help you ensure compliance, giving you peace of mind that everything is covered.

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