As a landlord of one or more properties, there are certain electrical regulations that your properties need to meet in order to be safe for your tenant(s), and to adhere to the law.

If your properties don’t adhere to these regulations, safety issues such as fires and damage could present a real danger to your tenants and buildings, as well as the possibility or large fines and legal proceedings.

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So what laws are you required to adhere to?

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Electrical checks that must be carried out every five years:

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From 1st June 2020, landlords must have electrical installations checked by a qualified electrician every five years to ensure the safety of their tenants. The terms of these laws mean that:

• Prior to new tenancies beginning from the 1st July 2020, electrical inspections and testing must have been carried out

• Existing tenancies must have test and inspections carried out by 1st April 2021

• A copy of this Electrical Safety Condition Report must be given to existing and new tenants once certified

• Carry out any remedial electrical works identified by the report within 28 days (or as soon as possible if indicated to be a dangerous issue)

• There are a few exceptions to these rules such as lodgers and halls of residences, take a look here for more info.

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Your test and inspection should be carried out by a registered electrician, in order to be able to issue an Electrical Safety Condition Report. Get in touch with the Afos team to find out more.

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As well as a test and inspection of your property, landlords are also obligated to ensure the following for the safety of their tenants:

• Ensure that there a fully functioning smoke alarm is fitted on each floor of the property.

• Ensure all electrical appliances provided for tenant are safe for use and display a CE marking.

• Ensure all electrical installations are safe and fully functioning throughout the tenancy.

• As above, an electrical condition report is carried out every five years by a qualified electrician.