The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 will apply to new tenancies from 1st July 2020 and to existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. The new regulations require landlords to ensure that all electrical installations in their rental properties are inspected and tested by a qualified person every five years. Reports of each inspection to be supplied to all tenants of the property within 28 days of the inspection, and retained by the landlord until the next inspection takes place. Breaches of the regulations could result in financial penalties of up to £30,000.

Inspections and tests

Under the regulations, landlords need to ensure that:

  • Electrical safety standards are met during any period when the residential premises are occupied by a specified tenancy.
  • Every electrical installation in the residential premises is inspected and tested by a qualified person at regular intervals of at least every five years, or more often if specified in an inspection report.
  • The first inspection and testing is carried out either before a tenancy starts for new tenancies or by 1st April 2021 for existing tenancies.