The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to private landlords and places a duty to ensure that electrical safety standards are met.

The new Regulations apply to all new tenancies granted from 1^st July 2020 and to all existing tenancies from 1^st April 2021.

From 1^st July 2020, for all new tenancies, landlords must ensure that an electrical installation inspection and test is carried out by a qualified and competent person before the tenancy starts and then every five years, at least.

In addition the landlord must provide the new tenant with a copy of the report before they occupy the premises. If any prospective tenant requests a copy of the report this must be provided within 28 days of receiving the request.

Any remedial works shown on the report must be completed within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report and then provide written confirmation to the tenant.

For existing (ongoing) tenancies, the electrical installation inspection and test must be carried out by 1^st April 2021 by a qualified and competent person and then every five years, at least. The same process applies with any remedial works, as detailed above. The landlord must provide the existing tenant with a copy of the report within 28 days.

The district council is the enforcement agency and if it finds that a landlord is in breach of their duties they must issue a notice setting out the remedial works. They may also impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

Guidance issued by the government can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities

See separate article for suggested wording for letters to tenants to arrange the visits.

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