23^rd February 2022

Electrical safety in rental properties tops the agenda

Recent legislation around electrical safety stipulates that from 1 June 2020 it became compulsory for landlords to undertake an electrical safety check every five years in any new tenancy in the UK. This legislation was then widened to cover existing tenancies with effect from 1 April 2021.

The legislation requires an official Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, to be obtained to confirm that the property is suitable for occupation from an electrical safety perspective. Should the property not achieve compliance, the EICR will indicate the areas where repairs are required and the landlord is then mandated to have these carried out. The EICR will cover up to a five-year period as stated on the document and will need to be renewed prior to expiry. Visual inspection should be carried out prior to a change of tenancy and the EICR renewed if considered necessary.

As Andrew Ward, owner of Award Property Management, points out, obtaining an EICR forms a core part of good practice for landlords. ‘At Award we focus on ensuring that all our landlords comply with all relevant legislation and for us electrical safety is right at the top of the list,’ comments Andrew. ‘As well as helping to ensure that the landlords are observing their legal obligations, having a current EICR in place offers reassurance and peace of mind to the tenants. In addition, there’s the added incentive for landlords as non-compliance can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £30,000. Overall, we see our role very much as working with landlords to create a safe environment for their tenants, and regular fixed wire testing is a crucial part of that.’

Award Property Management are letting agents based in Cambridge. If you would like help or advice with electrical safety or any other aspect of your rental property, please get in touch. We’d be happy to help and advise.