The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations came into force on 1 June 2020 and apply to all tenancies created on or after that date in England from 1 July 2020. These new regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected at least every 5 years and tested by a person who is qualified and competent. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants as well as to the local authority as requested. 

The regulations apply in England to all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing specific tenancies from April 2021. A “new specified tenancy” is any tenancy created on or after 1 June 2020.

Following the inspection and testing, 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 residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test.
  • Supply a copy of that report to the local housing 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.
  • Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant of the specified tenancy to which the report relates before the tenant occupies those premises and any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective tenant.

Where an electrical installation safety report identifies urgent remedial work or required “further investigation”, the private landlord must ensure that the required work is carried out by a qualified and competent person within 28 days (or the period specified within the report if it is less that 28 days). The landlord must then:

  • Obtain written confirmation from a qualified person that further investigation or remedial work has been carried out and that the electrical safety standards are met or the further investigative or remedial work is required.
  • Supply that written confirmation together with a copy of the report which required the further investigative or remedial work to each existing tenant or the residential premises with 28 days of completion of the further investigative or remedial work and also to the local housing authority within 28 days of completion of the further or investigative or remedial work.

If you require an electrical safety inspection report. Please contact us on 0161 260 0148 to arrange.