Are your rental properties up to standard?

From 1 April 2021, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations will apply to all existing tenancies. This includes tenancies of residential dwellings which grant someone the right to occupy as their only or main residence and which provide for payment of rent.

The Regulations require landlords to ensure that:-

• A qualified person inspects the fixed electrical items in the property (wiring, plug sockets, light fittings and fuse box) every 5 years;
• A copy of the report is provided to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection; and
• A copy of the report is provided to any new tenant.

Landlords are required to bear the cost of compliance. For existing tenancies, the cost of compliance may fall to the tenant- it will depend on the wording of the tenancy.