What are the requirements of the legislation?
The Regulations specify that the first inspection/testing must be carried out:
- Before any new tenancy commences; or
- In the case of an existing tenancy, by 21 April 2021.
Which means existing landlords of properties the Regulations apply to will need to have instructed and completed the inspection and test by April 2021 and supply a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) to the tenant within the 28 days following the test.
What is it and how does it affect the Private Rented Sector?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 now means that every private sector landlord must provide a copy of the electrical safety certificate for both, existing and new tenancies.
What is required under the new legislation?
Under the new electrical safety Regulations, private sector landlords are required to:
Make sure national standards for electrical safety are met during any period their residential property is occupied by a paying tenant with the right to occupy, including under assured shorthold tenancies and licences to occupy.
Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years and be able to provide evidence.
Enforcement of the regulations will lie with the relevant local housing authority, who may request copies of the relevant reports, require or arrange remedial action, and impose financial penalties of up to £30,000.
What records do landlords need to keep?
The landlord must:
- Obtain a report from the person conducting the inspection and test, which will show the inspection outcome and the date the next one is due.
- Keep a copy of the report to give to the qualified person who will carry out the next test and inspection when it is due.
What if there are issues in the report?
If the local housing authority has reasonable grounds to believe the Regulations have been breached, they have the power to serve a remedial notice on the landlord, requiring the landlord to complete remedial works within 28 days.
Local housing authorities also have the power to impose financial penalties for any breach of testing, inspecting, or retaining and providing reports.
Get in touch with Bison Electrical today!
Bison Electrical are an established and trusted electrical services company in London, providing 24-hour emergency electrical services to both domestic and commercial clients. NICEIC certified for your testing and inspection requirements as well as installations, fault finding and partial rewires.
Book your EICR testing with Bison Electrical today.
