Since 1 April 2021, landlords of all ‘specified’ tenancies in England have been required to comply with these regulations. The specified tenancies to which the regulations apply are all tenancies where there is:
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a private (ie not commercial) tenant, and
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the tenant has a right to occupy the property as their main or only residence (eg it’s not a holiday let)
This can include licences as well as leases. Some exceptions apply (eg for lodgers). For more information on the Regulations’ application, read the Government’s guidance.
Under the Regulations, landlords must ensure that all electrical installations are inspected and tested by a registered electrician. The electrician will produce a report explaining the outcomes of the inspection and listing any investigative or remedial work required. Inspections check that a property meets the national standards for electrical safety, as set out in the 18th edition of the ‘Wiring Regulations’.
A copy of the report will be given to the landlord. The tenant(s) should also be given a copy.
When should the electrical safety checks be carried out in England?
The landlord should carry out an inspection before a new tenant moves in and they should give the new tenant a copy of the report. If the new tenant has not received a copy of the most recent report they should contact the landlord and ask for a copy. The landlord must provide a copy within 4 weeks.
Inspections should also be carried out at least once every 5 years. Properties that have had the same existing tenants since before the legislation came into force (1 April 2021 for existing tenancies) should ensure they’ve had an inspection within the last 5 years.
If a property has been built or rewired in the last 5 years, the landlord can give the tenant a copy of the property’s electrical installation certificate (EIC) instead and they will not have to arrange for a safety check for 5 years.