Electrical safety in rented homes
New electrical safety standards for privately rented homes
The new electrical safety standards Regulations apply to all privately rented homes and require that all fixed electrics are kept in a safe condition throughout the whole time a tenant is living at the property.
Inspection and testing reports
The electrical wiring, sockets, consumer units (fuse boxes) and other fixed electrical parts in rented homes must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and competent person. Inspections may need to be done more often if the inspector thinks that is necessary.
The inspector will produce a report saying whether the installation is satisfactory and meets the electrical safety standards. Landlords must provide a copy of that report to all existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, plus:
- any new tenants before they move into the house
- any prospective tenants within 28 days of receiving a written request from them
- the council within 7 days of receiving a written request from us
- the person who comes to do the next electrical inspection.
Remedial work
Inspectors use the following classification codes to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work:
- Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. The electrical inspector may make any C1 hazards safe before leaving the property.
- Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous.
- Further Investigation (FI): Further investigation required without delay.
- Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Further remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory.
If the report contains a code C1, C2 or FI, then your landlord must ensure that further investigative or remedial work is carried out by a qualified person within 28 days, or less if specified in the report.
The C3 classification code does not indicate remedial work is required, but only that improvement is recommended. Landlords don’t have to make the improvement, but it would improve the safety of the installation if they did.
On completion the landlord must get written confirmation from the electrician that the electrics are up to standard, and provide a copy of that confirmation to the tenants and the council within 28 days.
Enforcement of the electrical safety standards
If we have reason to believe a landlord has failed in their duties, we can:
- Serve a Remedial Notice giving 28 days for the failing to be put right and then arrange for the necessary work to be done and recover the costs from the landlord.
- Arrange for urgent remedial work to be done within 2 days and recover the costs.
- Issue financial penalties of up to £30,000.
Application and exemptions
The Regulations are being phased in and will apply as follows:
- If you sign a new tenancy agreement on or after 1 July 2020 the Regulations will apply to your rented home straight away.
- If you signed your tenancy agreement before 1 July 2020 the Regulations will apply for you from 1 April 2021.
The Regulations do not apply to portable appliances.
The Regulations do not cover social housing or tenants who live with their landlord (lodgers). See the full list of exemptions.
Guidance and further information
The government has published guidance on the new electrical safety standards:
NAPIT has produced a brief guidance for landlords document summarising the new regulations.
NRLA has produced an electrical inspections and testing guide and summary of the new requirements.