New Rented Property Testing Legislation

(EICR) Electrical Installation Condition Reports are now required by Law for Landlords to prove a property is safe. A tenant will need to allow general maintenance inspections and electrical safety checks with at least 24 hours’ notice.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into effect on the 1^st of July 2020 for all new specified tenancies and all existing specified tenancies from 1^st April 2021. All testing must be done by a registered electrician to either confirm all installations meet the safety standards or recommend investigative work or repairs within 28 days. This testing must be completed at least every 5 years or changing of occupancy. The tenant can request a copy of the EICR.

Tenant Responsibilities:

• Reporting electrical faults to your landlord as soon as you spot a problem.
• Allowing access to your home for inspections.
• The safety of your own appliances.
• Visual safety checks are acceptable, but do not to your own repairs.

New regulations are in place to ensure councils, housing associations and private landlords are ensuring every home is secure and fit to live in. In these homes, installations like: plug sockets; fuse boxes; light fittings; electric water heaters; and heating systems are required testing even if it isn’t mentioned in your current agreement.