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Guide for landlords: New electrical safety standards in the PRS

New electrical safety rules have been introduced to ensure that private tenants are protected. 

New regulations, which were introduced yesterday, are designed to strengthen electrical safety practices and bring in line with those already well-established within gas safety regulations in private residential tenancies.

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.

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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 been issued by the government. 

To also help support the buy-to-let industry, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) has provided detailed guidance on the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 to both landlords and its members.

NAPIT is also supporting landlord associations, letting agents and local authorities in their understanding of the new regulations during this period of adjustment through webinars, articles, and by responding directly to queries.

NAPIT’s chief operating officer, David Cowburn, commented: “I’m delighted that we have taken this crucial step to update our online search facility to include the details of the competent operatives within each of our registered electrical businesses. This change has been made to provide greater confidence to consumers and better align with the Minimum Competency Requirements which require us to ‘ensure that there is a record of each competent individual capable of completing self-certification and the limits of their competence.

“Now more than ever consumers and landlords alike can be assured that the NAPIT tradesperson they are hiring to carry out the works is up to standard.”

• Landlord guidance available here:

• The Electrical Safety Checks in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 available to view here

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    another scam

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    Yet another regulation with which GENUINE landlords have to comply.
    I am lucky in that I have found an electrician that is reasonable, the last one I had was extortionate.
    Expect, Rent (not so) Smart Wales to come out with something similar anytime now.
    Rogue landlords need not comply.

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    • 02 June 2020 11:42 AM

    Many properties will require remedial works.
    This involves pulling a property apart to fix wiring etc.
    These are also the properties needing the most spending on them to achieve EPC C status.
    It would take decades to cover the costs.
    Far better for LL to sell these dud properties to mug FTB who won't be subject to any of these regulations.
    These sorts of properties aren't viable for LL anymore.

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    And even some fairly new properties would find it difficult to achieve a C rating.
    I have four apartments which were built approx ten years ago and they are rated D.

     
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    "New electrical safety rules have been introduced to ensure that private tenants are protected."

    Home owners don't matter then!

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    Thats exactly my point. You can have a BTL next door or above/below you with no smoke alarms no gas checks let alone electrical and there you have it

     
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    It's s con both gas and electricity. More danger from tenant damage than anything else.
    If it was that important it would be law for all 27 million homes, not just 14% of homes.
    And the people it supposed to catch out....it doesn't, just like licensing, it doesn't work.
    No gas inspection in my home in 10 yrs, no one sick or dead here.
    But tenants have to pick up the costs in rising rents...they don't tell you that do they.
    How many landlords have had boilers condemned in the last 15 yrs, I bet only 100 or so....

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    Many of us are perfectly compartment to carry out these checks ourselves, 30 yrs ago I fitted a full LPG heating system in my house, including the boiler and gas pipe work, never leaked, caught fire or gassed anyone.

     
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    I have just had my first electrical failure in my own house which I wired thirty years ago (legally!) It tested OK on first test. The on off switch on the wall plate of the 13A socket we use for the kettle has jammed on.

    My experience of electrical failures is that the biggest problem is the people using electricity. This is, "what" needs certifying. Any installation done properly and tested should be as good as mine and more likely better.

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