Regulations Update
Electrical safetyin the private rented sector
All tenants deserve to live in homes which are safe, notably from risks such as fire or electrocution. To protect tenants, ECA, Electrical Safety First and other partners pressed the Government for a sustained period to introduce legislation. As a result of this, the Government recently introduced new regulations to improve electrical safety in the rented sector.
F
rom 1 June, the ‘Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020’ came into force utilising the powers set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016. They
also make amendments to the ‘Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006’. The Regulations require that landlords have property electrics checked at
least every five years by a properly qualified person. The electrics must meet standards and landlords must give their tenants proof of this. These Regulations apply in England* only to all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020, and to all existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021. “The majority of landlords are
proactive when it comes to ensuring the safety of their tenants and make a welcome contribution to the housing market,” the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government guidance explains. “But a minority fail to do so, putting their tenants in danger as a result…[The Regulations] means that all landlords now have to do what good landlords already do: make sure the electrical installations in their rented properties are safe. “This is a major step towards levelling up
the private rented sector, making sure it will offer high- quality, safe and secure housing. Along with our social and owner-occupied sectors, this is housing this country deserves.” Mike Smith, ECA director of technical, commented: “This new statutory
requirement places a greater emphasis on the private landlord to ensure that their electrical installations are fit for use. The Regulations make it mandatory in most cases that private landlords have regular and valid electrical installation condition reports (EICR) undertaken in their properties at intervals of no more than 5 years and for this inspection to be carried out by a qualified person. “Any dangerous situations that require urgent remedial action (C1, C2 or
FI) noted on the EICR should be rectified within 28 days. Failure to comply with these Regulations carries significant financial penalties.
Mike Smith
“Landlords must take their responsibilities seriously or face the consequences. Landlords will however also benefit from these regulations by knowing that their properties are electrically sound,
protecting their investment. “Landlords should therefore choose those who are to carry out these
electrical condition reports with care and check their qualifications. The ECA recommends choosing a member of the ECA who specialises in this
type of work.”
ECA has produced a technical bulletin for Members and a useful post-EICR assessment completion form that Members may find helpful. These are availble for ECA Members at
www.eca.co.uk.
Further general guidance can be accessed at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety- standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords- tenants-and-local-authorities
* Landlords in Wales are subject to different regulations under the Building Regulations 2010, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the Renting Homes (Wales) act 2016. Northern Ireland has no laws that specifically cover electrical safety in privately rented accommodation, however properties must be fit for human habitation. Northern Ireland Electricity can disconnect the electrical supply if it believes that the electricity at a property is unsafe. Private landlords in Scotland are required by law (Housing (Scotland) Act 2006), to ensure that their properties are electrically safe.
22 | electrical wholesalerJuly 2020
ewnews.co.uk
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