If you are a landlord in Brighton and Hove or anywhere in England, you must meet strict electrical safety standards to keep your tenants safe in their home.
Most landlords are responsible and take the initiative to ensure the safety of the electrical installations in their rental properties. However, a minority fail to meet their electrical safety obligations, potentially putting their tenants’ lives in danger.
Our guide explains what electrical safety obligations you, as a private landlord, have for your rental properties. We address all the big questions, including electrical safety regulations, the electrical safety check for landlords, and the penalties if you break the law.
On 1st June 2020, the government introduced The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. This new legislation requires all private landlords to conduct mandatory electrical safety inspections and obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at least every five years. The new electrical safety requirements for landlords apply to all new tenancies, and a qualified professional must complete the electrical testing.
Before the new legislation, electrical safety checks for landlords were only a legal requirement for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). If you were a landlord with any other type of private tenancy, obtaining an EICR every five years was only recommended.
After many consultations with working groups, the government made obtaining an electrical safety certificate for all rental property mandatory. As a landlord, you must employ the services of a competent professional to carry out the electrical inspections, and they must provide an EICR (electrical safety certificate). Any remedial work identified in the report must be completed within 28 days. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the EICR within 28 days. If Brighton and Hove Council or your local council request a copy, you must provide it within seven days.
You should never check the electrics yourself. Firstly, it is hazardous if you don’t know what you are doing. Secondly, to comply with the legislation on electrical safety for landlords, you must hire a professional and competent electrician who can provide an EICR and officially PAT test any appliances.
A competent person is a suitably qualified electrician. They should be officially registered and able to provide the required level of service and the compulsory EICR report.
Electrical safety inspections for landlords should be carried out by a qualified engineer, who will check your property’s:
During the electrical safety tests for landlords, your electrical engineer will identify potential electric shock hazards and fire risks.
PAT testing is handled separately – read on for more information on the rules.
Your electrical safety report for landlords will tell you if the rental property’s electrical installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If you receive an unsatisfactory code, you must take prompt action.
These are the 4 EICR unsatisfactory codes you can receive.
If you receive a C1, C2 or F1 unsatisfactory code, you have 28 days to instruct a qualified electrician to remedy the fault. If new tenants haven’t moved in yet, it’s recommended that remedial works are completed first.
Then, submit written confirmation of the repairs to the local authority and existing tenants, along with a copy of the report.
Is an electrical safety certificate a legal requirement for landlords? Yes, most private tenancies need an EICR. In a buy-to-let new build or completely rewired property, the landlord’s responsibility for electrical safety is covered by the Electrical Installation Certificate, valid for five years.
The landlords who let out the following types of properties need to follow alternative electrical safety regulations:
Landlords should have an electrical inspection of their rental properties at least every five years. If you fail to comply with the regulations, you will commit a criminal offence.
The cost of an Electrical Installation Condition Report ranges from £80 to over £300. Checkatrade has calculated that the average cost is £230 for a flat, and over £300 for a house.
A professional electrical inspection typically takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete, not including any required remedial work, which will need to be arranged at a later date.
The bigger the property, the longer the EICR inspection will take. Save time by explaining to the electrician where all the consumer units and electric installations are.
Brighton and Hove council or your local authority are responsible for enforcing the regulations. They can order remedial work on the property by a specific deadline to meet the required electrical safety standards for landlords. If you don’t act, they can also impose a financial penalty.
You will breach your obligations by failing to complete the remedial work within 28 days or not producing a satisfactory report. This could result in prosecution and financial penalties of up to £30,000 and invalidate your insurance policies.
The local authority also has it within its power to arrange the remedial work to be carried out and then proceed to recover the costs from you.
The electrical safety legislation for landlords in England and Wales only requires testing of electrical appliances for HMOs. However, PAT testing appliances you supply is good practice for your peace of mind and your tenant’s safety.
Any electric appliance with a plug should be tested, including larger appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers.
If your tenant brings their own appliances to the property, they are personally responsible for ensuring they are safe.
For the safety of your tenants and the protection of your business, you must undertake regular electrical safety inspections on your private rentals and obtain an EICR report. Failure to do so could result in a hefty financial penalty. You should keep records of the safety certificates, work done, and any communications as evidence should the need arise.
Have we cleared up your questions on electrical safety for landlords? If you need to know anything about being a landlord in Brighton & Hove, talk to the team at The Property Shop today.
Do you have any questions about the topic above? Our team of experts is here to help in answering any query you may have.
Fueled by his desire to be the best, most reputable estate and lettings agent in town, Steve has spent his career cultivating The Property Shop. Steve prides himself on his authenticity, honesty, and knowledge-base which is emulated by The Property Shop and his team.
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