The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 coming into force this year mean landlords and agents will need to ensure electrical installation inspections and testing are carried out for all new tenancies in England from 1 July 2020. Existing tenancies will have to comply from 1 April 2021. 

The regulations require every fixed electrical installation to be inspected every five years, or sooner depending what the qualified professional recommends on the report. A report of the results must also be obtained by the landlord and supplied to the tenant within 28 days and retained until the next inspection. If any remedial works are required then once they are complete written confirmation, along with a copy of the report, must be sent to the tenant and the Local Housing Authority.

This is another additional responsibility for landlords to manage alongside other changes that have been introduced in the last few years. Landlords have a wide range of regulations to adhere to (where applicable) including the following:

• Gas Safety Regulations

• Chimney sweeping

• Electrical fixed wiring

• Asbestos

• Smoke detectors and alarms

• Radon

• Carbon monoxide detectors and alarms

• Private water supplies

• Solid fuel and oil fired appliances

• MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards)

• Energy Performance Certification (EPC)

• Fire extinguishers

• Portable appliance testing (PAT)

Regulation is changing so quickly that there’s a danger one or more checks may be missed. This could have disastrous consequences both in putting a property and its tenant at risk, but also could lead to custodial sentences for a landlord if a property is not compliant and there is an incident.

It is important to remember that compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes for the Government, it’s about making sure tenants and customers are safe and taken care of.

Further information

Contact Savills Rural