New Electrical Safety Regulations to Come in to Force

The Government has laid The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 meaning landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The Regulations also state that a landlord is required to obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test, supply it to each tenant within 28 days and retain a copy until the next inspection is due. 

  • Upon request, the report must be provided to the local housing authority within 7 days.
  • The private landlord must supply a copy of the last report to any new tenant before occupation, or any prospective tenant within 28 days of a request from the prospective tenant.
  • The Regulations require local housing authorities to enforce the rules and they have the power to arrange remedial action.
  • Proven breaches of the Regulations can result in the local housing authority imposing a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

View Regulations

ARLA Propertymark represented members on the Government’s Electrical Safety Working Group in order to shape the new rules. We have since worked with industry representatives as part of the Electrical Safety Roundtable. We have been informed by MHCLG that the group will be meeting again very soon to finalise guidance for the sector.

David Cox – Chief Executive of Arla commented:

“We are supportive of this concept and believe it will create a level playing field for all agents and landlords as well as ensuring improved safety standards for tenants. Mandating inspecting and testing of every fixed electrical installation should have a limited impact on good professional landlords and agents in the market, many of whom already voluntarily undertake these inspections. We did raise concerns about the number of engineers available to undertake these reports by the April 2021 deadline but have received assurances from MHCLG this morning about capacity in the supply chain.”

Belvoir Newastle-under-Lyme are fully supportive of this change and have always ensured our properties have an up to date electrical safety certificate in place to protect both the landlord and tenant. If your agent does not carry this out for you, you are at risk of prosecution should your tenant have an electrical acccident or house fire caused by an electrical fault. For further advice please do not hesitate to contact us.