{"id":7867,"date":"2019-06-20T23:15:19","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T22:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lettingaproperty.com\/landlord\/blog\/?p=7867"},"modified":"2019-06-20T23:15:19","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T22:15:19","slug":"mandatory-electrical-safety-checks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lettingaproperty.com\/landlord\/blog\/mandatory-electrical-safety-checks\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandatory Electrical Safety Checks For Rental Properties"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mandatory electrical safety checks for all landlords have been on the horizon for a long while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, though there is a legal requirement for landlords to carry out fixed electrical installation inspections on houses in multiple occupation only. An inspection is required every 5 years and must be given to the local authority within 7 days if requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mandatory Electrical Safety Checks for all private landlords are expected in April 2020 – read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All landlords of properties covered by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985<\/a> must under section 11<\/a> keep installations for the supply of electricity in good repair and proper working order, though this does not specifically require inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Housing and Planning Act 2016<\/a> sections 122<\/a> and 123<\/a> are enabling powers allowing the Secretary of State to write regulations imposing duties on landlords to carry out checks on installations for the supply of electricity, fixtures, fittings and appliances. They also allow the Secretary of state to determine how and when checks should be carried out and indeed who is qualified to carry checks out. Section 123 allows for regulations relating to enforcement and penalties to be written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, there is a great deal of misinformation concerning these requirements and to add to the confusion industry bodies tend to recommend that as \u2018best practice\u2019 these checks should be carried out. Indeed the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors recommends five yearly checks in their private rented sector code of practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consultation on electrical safety tests<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Electrical Standards Working Group concluded that there was a need to use the enabling powers but sought additional evidence through a consultation. The consultation entitled \u2018Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector<\/a>\u2019 ran from mid-February to mid-April 2018. The working group made eight recommendations around the frequency and types of checks needed; the report and to whom a copy should be given; the phasing in of any new regulations and a scheme for recognising competent persons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consultation asked for response around these issues in the main although the Ministry of Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) also included questions concerning enforcement, penalties and additional checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Government published their response<\/a> to the consultation in January 2019 which identified that there had been 570 responses from a range of interested parties. By far the largest groups were landlords and electricians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It recommends that;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n