The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector (England) Regulations 2020
In January 2020 the Government announced the above regulations were being passed through Parliament and we can now confirm that these will come into effect from 1st June 2020.
The regulations apply to all new tenancies created from 1st July 2020 and for all ongoing and existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. The requirements are that private landlords must ensure that the Electrical Safety Standards are met in a residential property, during a tenancy.
Inspections and Testing
Under the regulations, landlords must ensure that all electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified tradesperson. Testing and production of the prescribed report, must conducted at least every 5 years, or more often if required by the report.
Should the report identify work is needed, it is a duty of the landlord to ensure this is carried out within certain timescales and an updated report produced.
Guidance during Covid-19 Restrictions
The Government has confirmed that these regulations will come into force on the 1st June 2020 and landlords must comply with the legislation. However, whilst the country continues in the Covid-19 lockdown, the guidance as we understand it is that a landlord should take all reasonable steps to comply with their duty under the regulations and keep a record of the communications regarding organising the necessary work. If this can be evidenced then during the lockdown restrictions, a landlord would not be in breach of their duty.
Full details of the legislation, including timescales, distribution requirements of the report and sanctions for breach of the regulations, can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/
If you would like any further information or details of local electricians who can help with the testing and reports, please do not hesitate to contact us for these details.
