The private rental sector has new electricity regulations taking effect next week, putting the emphasis on agents and landlords.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, require electrical installations in private rental properties to be inspected and tested – by a qualified electrician – every five years.

Those who fail to comply, or fail to undertake necessary repairs, could face fines up to £30,000.
On top of that, a copy of the Electrical Inspection Condition Report should be handed over to tenants and, if requested, to the local authority.

The electricity regulations officially came into force back on June 1 last year and applied to new tenancies from July 1 – but it is only at the beginning of this April that they will apply to existing tenancies.

“Good private rental sector landlords have always undertaken regular electrical checks” explains Lesley Rudd, chief executive of the charity Electrical Safety First.

“But making these checks a legal requirement, with a significant penalty if landlords fail to comply, brings clarity and reduces electrical risk for people and property. And, of course, it is essential that these mandatory electrical checks are undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent person – a point we continue to highlight in all our campaigns.”

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