Yesterday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his second Autumn Statement, but with a very different tone to the gloomy announcements made this time last year. The Chancellor announced initiatives with a massive focus on pushing growth in the economy. The main question you’ll all no doubt have is… “how does it affect me?”, let’s take a look…
Urgent! Landlords make sure you don’t fall foul of new electrical safety standards
10 July 2020
Mark Friend
Property Investors & Developers
As of the 1 July 2020 landlords of private rented accommodation are now required to have their electrics and wiring inspected and tested every 5 years by a qualified, competent professional. This is called an Electrical Installation Condition Report. For any new tenancies this must be completed by 1 July 2020 and for any existing tenancies this must be completed by 1 April 2021. Local authorities may impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 on landlords who are in breach of their duties in regards to electrical safety.
Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested. Where there is an existing tenancy in place, the tenant must be provided with a copy within 28 days of the inspection. Landlords should retain a copy of the report and pass to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, landlords will need to complete this work within 28 days, or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report. They must then supply written confirmation of the completion of the remedial works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion of the works.
Full guidance is provided on the gov.uk website by following the link here
Don’t forget that in addition to the new requirements shown above, landlords are also required to repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in safe condition. They must also have an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue and keep a record of each safety check. In addition landlords must provide a smoke alarm on each storey of their rental property, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance. Landlords of houses of multiple occupation (HMO) must also provide fire alarms and extinguishers.
The content in this blog is correct as at 10/07/2020. See terms and conditions.
