Electrical Safety Standards Guidance - Update
Just a follow up from our post on 17/01/2020, the new electrical safety regulations in the private sector have been introduced, as of 1st June 2020.

The Electrical Safety Standards Guidance means that the inspection and test of the installation is carried out in accordance with the eighteenth edition of the writing regulations. This applies to:
  • New private tenancies entered into on or after 1st July 2020
  • All existing private tenancies from 1st April 2021

What should private landlords do now?
  1. Ensure that electrical safety standards are met when the property is occupied during a tenancy
  2. Ensure that every fixed electrical installation at the property is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified individual
  3. Ensure that the first inspection and testing are carried out before new tenancies commence on or after 1st July 2020 and by 1st April 2021 for existing tenancies
For all of the managed properties with JTM Homes, our Property Management Team will be in touch with you shortly to keep you compliant with these new regulations. Alternatively, if you are a private landlord with an unmanaged property, we can offer our services to keep you compliant with these regulations for a small £50.00 administration fee.

NAPIT and propertymark have answered key questions regarding the new guidance. We have picked out those that will be of use to our clients below, but if you want to see their full list of guidance click here:  https://www.napit.org.uk/downloads/Electrical-Safety-in-the-Private-Rented-Sector-Regulations-Guidance-for-Landlords-NAPIT.pdf

Key questions answered (Source: arla/ propertymark):
 
  • "What should I do if I have an existing report?"
“If the landlord has obtained a satisfactory Electrical Installation Safety Report which is less than five years old, they should review the report to see what was recommended on it and consider how the property has been let since it was carried out. If big differences to the property have occurred, then it would be wise to get another check done. If no changes have been made, then the report will remain valid until the next inspection date specified.”
 
  • "Do the regulations apply to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO)?"
“Yes, if a HMO is a tenant’s only or main residence and they pay rent, then these regulations apply to the property. Furthermore, these Regulations repeal the previous legislation which set requirements on HMO landlords.”
 
  • "Who can carry out the checks?"
“Any Electrical Inspector employed to undertake the electrical inspection and testing within the property must have:
  1. Adequate insurance. This should include at least £2 million public liability insurance and £250,000 professional
  2. Indemnity insurance
  3. A qualification covering the current version of the wiring regulations (BS 7671)
  4. A qualification covering the periodic inspection, testing, and certification of electrical installations
  5. At least two years’ experience in carrying out periodic inspection and testing”
 
  • "How are the new regulations impacted by COVID-19?"
“The UK Government recognise that the restrictions imposed by current measures to minimise the infection risks from COVID-19 may make carrying out electrical safety checks more difficult, for example where households are isolating or where an individual has been advised to shield. Under such circumstances, provided the landlord can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to comply, they would not be in breach of their legal duties.”