Electrical Safety Standards: are you ready for April 1?
rom April 1 all existing specified private tenancies will need to comply with the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
The regulations were first introduced in June 2020 to new tenancies and are being rolled out to cover most lettings.
The new regulations aim to ensure national standards for electrical safety and mean that wiring, sockets, fuse box and other fixed electrical parts in rented properties need to be checked and signed off by a qualified electrician.
One lettings agency has offered general guidance to landlords who may be confused by this latest piece of regulation.
Helen Hollingsworth, a partner at Bramleys, explains: “Suppose a private tenant has the right to occupy your property as their only or primary residence and pays the rent; in that case, the new regulations apply to you, including assured shorthold tenancies and licences to occupy.
“Exceptions include those on a long lease of seven years or more, social housing, lodgers, student halls, hostels, care homes, hospitals and hospices, and other accommodation relating to healthcare provisions.
“If a report highlights any issues, the landlord will have to remedy the problem within 28 days, or potentially face a fine of up to £30,000”.
Landlords must give a copy of all reports and documentation of any remedial or further investigative work to the tenant and local authorities.
Private sector landlords must make sure all electrical installations in their properties are inspected and tested every five years.
According to recent research led by ARLA Propertymark, 50% of letting agents surveyed in September 2020 had more than 60 tenancies that will require every fixed electrical installation at the property to be inspected and tested by April this year.
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