Mike Smith, ECA Director of Technical, provides us with the current state of play regarding this summer’s introduction of new regulations in the Private Rented Sector.
All tenants deserve to live in homes which are safe, notably from risks such as fire or electrocution.
To ensure better protection for tenants, ECA and other partners pressed the Government for a sustained period to introduce legislation. The result is the introduction of new regulations to improve electrical safety in the rented sector.
As of 1st June, the ‘Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020’ will have come into force utilising the powers set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016. It also makes amendments to the ‘Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006’.
These regulations apply in England only to:
all new specified tenancies from 1st July 2020,
all existing specified tenancies from 1st April 2021.
This new statutory requirement places a greater emphasis on the private landlord to ensure that their electrical installations are fit for use.
The regulations make it mandatory in most cases that private landlords have regular and valid electrical installation condition reports (EICR) undertaken in their properties at intervals of no more than five years and for this inspection to be carried out by a qualified person.
Any dangerous situations that require urgent remedial action (C1, C2 or FI) noted on the EICR should be rectified within 28 days. Failure to comply with these regulations carries significant financial penalties.
Landlords must take their responsibilities seriously or face the consequences. At the same time, they will also benefit from these regulations by knowing that their properties are electrically sound, protecting their investment.
Get more general advice and guidance on the new laws by clicking here
