ELECTRICAL SAFETY REGULATIONS TO COME INTO FORCE
22 Jan 2020
Subject to approval by both Houses of Parliament, 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 or from 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.
The Regulations require landlords to ensure that every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
• The landlord is required to obtain a report which gives the results of the inspection and test, supply that report 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 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.
How does this impact Open Doors landlords?
It has always been a landlords responsibility to ensure a property is electrically safe and it has long been our recommendation to landlords that a fixed wiring certificate is a sensible certification to hold to demonstrate that the safety has been considered when letting.
I dont have a fixed wiring certificate what should I do?
We will be in touch to discuss this with any managed clients who do not currently have a valid fixed electrical installation certificates over the next few months. If you would like to 'get ahead of the curve' do get in touch and we will be happy to help. Contact us via email: propertymanagement@open-doors.co.uk or by phone 44 (0) 1280 821 040.
The Regulations require landlords to ensure that every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
• The landlord is required to obtain a report which gives the results of the inspection and test, supply that report 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 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.
How does this impact Open Doors landlords?
It has always been a landlords responsibility to ensure a property is electrically safe and it has long been our recommendation to landlords that a fixed wiring certificate is a sensible certification to hold to demonstrate that the safety has been considered when letting.
I dont have a fixed wiring certificate what should I do?
We will be in touch to discuss this with any managed clients who do not currently have a valid fixed electrical installation certificates over the next few months. If you would like to 'get ahead of the curve' do get in touch and we will be happy to help. Contact us via email: propertymanagement@open-doors.co.uk or by phone 44 (0) 1280 821 040.