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Government to introduce mandatory electrical safety standards in the PRS
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Landlords may see another change to legislation during 2020, as the Government has proposed to introduce mandatory five-year electrical safety checks.
This enforcement will be known as the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. According to the Government’s publication, it is due to come into force on 1st June this year.
The regulations it includes will apply to landlords in England, specifically for:
- All new specified tenancies from 1st July 2020
- All existing specified tenancies from 1st April 2021
If a landlord does not comply, they face a fine of up to £30,000, this publication specifies. Enforcement will be down to the local housing authority and it will be up to them to determine the exact amount fined.
David Cox, Chief Executive, ARLA Propertymark has commented on the Government’s plan to introduce mandatory electrical installation inspecting and testing for all rented properties: “We are supportive of this concept and believe it will create a level playing field for all agents and landlords as well as ensuring improved safety standards for tenants.
“Mandating electrical testing should have a limited impact on good professional landlords and agents in the market, many of whom already voluntarily undertake these inspections.
“We did raise concerns about the number of engineers available to undertake these reports by the April 2021 deadline but have received assurances from MHCLG about capacity in the supply chain.”
