Protecting your tenants from dangers and hazards is key to renting out property and landlord electrical safety checks are an important part of your role. The law in this respect has changed over the past few years.
While it was always good practice to check the electrical installations in your property, you now have a legal duty to carry out landlord electrical safety checks every five years and supply a copy of the report you receive to your tenants.
Failing to do so could land you with a steep fine – and you could be putting your tenants in danger from fires and electric shocks. If you’re a new landlord, it’s worth understanding the rules around landlord electrical safety checks – and the all-important Electrical Installation Condition Report.
What is an electrical installation condition report?
Landlords are required to organise inspections of their property’s electrics – when they start renting out the home and every five years after that. Following the check, you will be given an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which will set out whether the electrics in the property have passed the inspection or whether remedial work is needed. Your inspection must be done by someone who is competent and suitably qualified.
What is checked by an EICR?
During the EICR inspection, your electrician will check the wiring, plug sockets, light switches and the fuse box, plus other wired-in devices such as electric showers and extractor fans.
The inspection will check for any overloaded circuits, defective electrics or faulty wiring, that could cause a fire or electric shock.
The report will set out whether your electrical installations are in a ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’. If improvements are needed, it will include details of the work required plus any observations by the electrician.
The report will include codes to identify the issues with your electrics. There are:
- Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. This is the most serious unsatisfactory rating and will require you to take immediate action. The electrician who carries out your inspection may complete work to make the property safe while on the premises.
- Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous.
- Further Investigation (FI): the issues with the property should be investigated as soon as possible.
- Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Further remedial work is not required for the property to be rated satisfactory, but completing the work is a good idea.
What if my electrics are unsafe?
If the report rates your property with an unsatisfactory code, you’ll need to carry out the remedial works within 28 days – or sooner if that is recommended in the report. You will need to give written confirmation that the work has been done to both your tenant and your local authority, within 28 days. Find out more on the gov.uk website.
What are the consequences of not having an EICR?
The penalties of not arranging an inspection of your property can be steep – local authorities can prosecute landlords, with maximum fines of £30,000.
How much does an EICR cost?
The cost of an EICR in London will vary depending on the electrician you use, the size of the property and how complex the job is, but prices range from around £80 to more than £200.
How often do I need an EICR?
The regulations say you need to carry out an EICR every five years – or more frequently if the inspector requires this in your report. This means that if you get new tenants during the five-year period, you don’t need to repeat the test. But you must supply a copy of the report to your new tenant within 28 days of their moving in.
Do I need to inspect my portable appliances?
There is no legal requirement to test portable appliances – these are appliances with plugs, such as fridges, TVs, kettles, toasters etc. However, it is recommended that you carry out annual portable appliance testing (PAT) for any items which you have provided. PAT testing means visually inspecting each appliance, checking that its leads and plugs are not damaged, frayed or worn, that there are no signs of overheating or missing screws. PAT testing can be done by landlords but if you are unsure, consult an electrician who will carry it out for you and provide a report. As a landlord, you aren’t responsible for PAT testing items provided by the tenant.
Will I get a report to demonstrate my compliance?
There is no certificate to prove your property is rated satisfactory but you will receive a copy of the report. It will contain:
- The results – whether satisfactory or unsatisfactory
- Any observations or details of remedial work or further investigation
- The date the next inspection is due.
Landlords need to submit a copy of the report to their local authority and their tenant within 28 days.
If you’re a new landlord in the east London areas of Romford, Hornchurch, Dagenham, Rainham, Upminster and Harold Wood we our property management services can take the strain of dealing with landlords electrical safety checks. Get in touch today to find out more about our packages.
