The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) has produced fresh guidance designed to help landlords and the electrical industry understand their obligations to keep private residential tenants safe in their homes.
The new legislation governing electrical safety checks within dwellings in England, introduced from 1st June 2020, will come into force for new tenancies on the 1st July 2020.
The regulation will initially affect private residential tenancies; affecting new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and those tenancies already in existence from 1 April 2021.
The proposal aims to ensure all electrical wiring and fixed electrical installations are signed off and reported by a qualified electrician.
If the report highlights any issues, the landlord will be required to remedy the issue within 28 days, or potentially face a fine of up to £30,000.
Fresh guidance setting out how the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 affect landlords, tenants and local authorities has already been issued by the government.
But the guide from NAPIT, which is available from £14.99, will help understanding of the new legislation and covers legislation requirements, consequences of not complying, what is required for an electrical safety check, different electrical forms and where they are used, coding of safety checks, frequencies of inspections, competence requirements of Inspectors, remedial works requirements, record keeping, as well as assessing risk.
Meera Chindooroy, NRLA deputy director for campaigns, public affairs & policy, commented: “The new electrical safety regulations coming into force in England in July will impact all landlords, and we were happy to work with NAPIT to ensure guidance to help them navigate the new rules is accurate and consistent.”
Mike Andrews, NAPIT Group Chief Executive, cadded: “Our latest guidance book on the new Electrical Safety Regulations will go a long way to helping the electrical industry and Landlords understand and comply with their obligations to keep private residential tenants safe in their homes.
“As the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, we are well placed to provide accurate and consistent guidance for the industry to follow.
“Electrical safety is at the forefront of everything we do, and with the introduction of this new Legislation, we have made it easy for the industry to access the correct information and ensure electrical safety standards are met.”
