Landlords - what you need to know about the new electrical regulations
From 1st July 2020 Landlords have one more thing to worry about!!
The UK Government released guidance on 1st June 2020 on the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector meaning that all new tenancies from the 1st July 2020 will require an EICR, Electrical Installation Condition Report.
Electrical Condition Reports have long been discussed in the industry and now come in to force in much the same way as Gas Safety Reports and the legal requirement to have both a gas safety certificate and an Electrical Installation Condition Report before a tenancy commences.
Yes, we know, there's yet another thing to worry about...
So what does this mean?
Simply, landlords are required to have their property inspected by a qualified person who needs to carry out an EICR. This will apply to all new tenancies commencing 1st July 2020 and ALL tenancies from the 1st April 2021.
There are three sets of guidance with separate versions for landlords, tenants, and local authorities in England. Private Landlords must now ensure:
- Electrical safety standards are met when the property is occupied during a tenancy
- Every fixed electrical installation at the property is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
- The first inspection and testing are carried out before new tenancies commence on or after 1 July 2020 and by 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.
The Unsatisfactory Codes
Once a qualified person has carried out the EICR they will recommend any required works to bring the property up to standard and will apply a code to each item. There are three possible codes within an EICR known as C1, C2 and C3.
- C1 – There is a danger present, risk of injury and immediate remedial action required.
- C2 – There is a potential danger present and urgent remedial work is required.
- C3 – Improvement is recommended.
The requirement is that all C1 and C2 items are corrected before a new tenancy commences.
Is this likley to affect you?!
Well, yes quite possibly, so far 83% of homes we have inspected (82 inspections carried out to date) have required some form of improvement. Generally the electrics in most homes do not meet the current requirements and unlike gas the electric regulations are updated more frequently, meaning that most homes in the UK don't comply.
We have been advising all our landlords over the last few months to complete the EICR (Electrical Safety Condition Report) for every new tenancy so they comply with the regulations as they come into effect from 1st July 2020.
What are the penalties if I ignore the recommendations?
It goes without saying but we don't recommend you ignore the recommendations, at the end of the day as a landlord you have a duty of care to your tenant.
Enforcement is by local authority, by ordering remedial action or urgent remedial action. The penalty for breach of such an order is a ‘civil penalty’ of up to £30,000!
The outcome of an EICR check must conclude with a report giving the results and date of next inspection and this must be supplied to the tenant within 28 days. If local authorities request a copy it must be provided within 7 days. Any remedial works must be done within 28 days or whatever shorter period specified in the report.
What can we do to help?
Getting an early inspection and NOT waiting until you HAVE to have an EICR can help spread the works and the costs and could also avoid having a longer void period if works are required before the tenancy commences.
Make sure you find a good, reliable and qualified electrician, sometimes the cheapest isn't always the most reliable. Speak to your agent as quite often they have great local contacts and can manage the EICR for you.
If you have any queries about EICR reports and how they affect you as a landlord give us a call on 01283 537120.