Electrical Regulation Changes For Rental Properties
The government has finally confirmed that rental properties will be subject to mandatory five year electrical safety checks. The move, which is yet to be written into law, will require landlords to have an electrical safety check (EICR) performed on their property by a qualified and certified electrician.
The new law will replicate the current system operated in Scotland. The new safety checks will probably start with all new tenancies and then existing tenancies will be brought in over time. There is no confirmed date for the start of the safety checks and given the current situation with Brexit it is likely that this issue will be sidelined while more important legislation is worked on by parliament.
Electrical Regulation Changes – How We Got Here
The electrical regulation changes come after years of campaigning and pressure by consumer groups like electrical safety first and the electrical industry. Housing minister Heather Wheeler MP said “These new measures will reduce the risk of faulty electrical equipment, giving people peace of mind and helping to keep them safe in their homes. He also went on to say “It will also provide clear guidance to landlords on who they should be hiring to carry out these important electrical safety checks.”
Electrical Regulation Changes – Practical Advice
The changes in the law affect every on who rents out a property, even if you rent out a room in your house. Once the law is changed you are obligated to get an electrical safety check every 5 years.
Only qualified electricians are allowed to undertake electrical safety checks. the government has said they will provide further advice about who is qualified to conduct the tests.
If you don’t get an electrical safety check then you are liable to be fined up to £30,000. Generally the checks are far less expensive and easier to deal with that non compliance.
If you property does not “pass the test” you will be required to pay for remedial work to fix the issues that mean you did not pass the test. The cost and time scales of this depend entirely on the electrics in your property.
