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New Electrical Safety Standards for the Private Rented Sector

From next month new regulations will place additional requirements on private landlords to help them protect the safety of their tenants. This introduction has been delayed owing to the COVID-19 situation.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312) come into force from 1st June 2020 and relate to specified tenancies from 1st July 2020. With all other existing tenancies subject to these new rules from the 1st April 2021.

The new legislation requires landlords to ensure their tenanted premises comply with the electrical safety standards in the 2018 edition of the IET wiring regulations (BS7671:2018). There is a duty placed upon them to carry out an electrical inspection at least every five years by a qualified professional, with the need for a contractors’ report to be provided to tenants within 28 days of the inspection. A copy of the most recent report should also be supplied to a new tenant before moving in, or provided to a prospective new tenant within 28 days of them requesting a copy. If any remedial work is required, a landlord has up to 28 days to complete such work, or sooner if stipulated in the report.

There are some exclusions including tenancies granted by social or resident landlords, long leases or tenancies granting a right of occupation for seven years or more (where there is no break clause), student lettings within halls and also tenancies granted to those occupying hostels, refuges, care homes, hospitals or hospices.

Local authorities will be given powers to enforce the new regulations and issue civil penalties to landlords in breach up to a maximum penalty of £30,000.

More details of the new regulations can be found on the Government’s legislation website.

Fosters Solicitors LLP holds monthly legal surgeries through the Eastern Landlords Association (ELA) for its membership. If you are an ELA member and have any queries regarding these new regulations or any other legal issues connected to your property management, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or the ELA.

Members’ telephone appointments for the next surgery on Wednesday 27th May are available to book by contacting the ELA office directly, but obviously limited.

Our team of solicitors has a wealth of knowledge and experience at your disposal. Please call us on 01603 620508.

This article was produced on the 19th May 2020 by our Residential Property team for information purposes only and should not be construed or relied upon as specific legal advice.