Electrical safety in the private rented sector

Duties of private landlords in relation to electrical installations

Under the Regulations, a private landlord who grants or intends to grant a specified tenancy, which is not an excluded tenancy must:

• Ensure that the electrical safety standards are met during any period when the premises are occupied (as set out in the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations (British Standard 7671)
• Ensure every electrical installation in the premises is inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and competent person; and
• Ensure the first inspection and testing is carried out:
  • before the tenancy commences in relation to a new specified tenancy; or
  • by 1 April 2021 in relation to an existing tenancy.

What private landlords must obtain and supply following electrical inspection and testing

Under the same Regulations, following the inspection and testing required 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 premises within 28 days of the inspection and test
• Supply a copy of that report to Local 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; and
• Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant before that tenant occupies those premises; and any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective tenant.

Where further investigative work is carried out and the outcome of that further investigative work is that further work is required, the landlord must repeat the steps above in respect of that further investigative or remedial work.

Results of the inspection and test

The following codes are used to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work:

• Code C1 – danger present and risk of injury
• Code C2 - potentially dangerous
• Code C3 – improvement recommended
• Further investigation (FI) – further investigation required without delay.

If the report contains a code C1, C2 or FI, then the landlord must ensure further investigative or remedial work is carried out by a qualified person within 28 days, or less if specified in the report.

Regarding C3 codes, we will not require landlords to undertake remedial work but we may draw the recommended improvement to their attention.

Do you have have concerns about the safety of your electrical installation?

If you believe that your landlord has not fulfilled their duty or have concerns about the safety of your electrical installation please contact the Residential Environmental Health Team.