Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Policy

Under the Regulations, a private landlord who grants or intends to grant a specified tenancy, which is not an excluded tenancy must:

• ensure that the electrical safety standards are met during any period when the premises are occupied (as set out in the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations (British Standard 7671)

• ensure every electrical installation in the premises is inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and competent person; and

• ensure the first inspection and testing is carried out:

• before the tenancy commences in relation to a new specified tenancy; or
• by 1st April 2021 in relation to an existing tenancy.

Under the same Regulations, following the inspection and testing required a private landlord must:

• obtain a report from the person conducting that inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test

• supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the premises within 28 days of the inspection and test

• supply a copy of that report to Local Authority within 7 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that authority

• retain a copy of that report until the next inspection and test is due and supply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test; and

• Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant before that tenant occupies those premises; and any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective tenant.

Where a report giving the results of the inspection and test (see below) indicates that a landlord is or is potentially in breach of the duty to ensure that the electrical safety standards are met during any period when the premises are occupied, and the report requires the landlord to undertake further investigative or remedial work, the private landlord must:

• ensure that further investigative or remedial work is carried out by a qualified person within 28 days (or the period specified in the report if less than 28 days) starting with the date of the inspection and testing

• obtain written confirmation from a qualified person that the further investigative or remedial work has been carried out

• supply that written confirmation, together with a copy of the report under sub-paragraph (3)(a) of the Electrical Regulations which required the further investigative or remedial work to each existing tenant of the residential premises and to the Council within 28 days of completion of the further investigative or remedial work.

Where further investigative work is carried out and the outcome of that further investigative work is that further work is required, the landlord must repeat the steps above in respect of that further investigative or remedial work.