Free guide to help landlords understand upcoming rental reforms

A group of health and safety experts has created a guide to help landlords understand major rental reform being introduced in Wales.

The Electrical Safety Roundtable in the Home group’s document relates to The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, which take effect for all new tenancies from December 1 this year, and all existing tenancies from December 1, 2023.

The reforms introduce three new legal requirements on landlords of both social and private rented residential properties. 

These are to ensure the presence of smoke alarms in proper working order; the ensure the presence of carbon monoxide alarms in proper working order; and to ensure the periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations. 

The guidance, available in English and Welsh, details the requirements of the Regulations and provides answers to frequently asked questions compiled from the experiences of English landlords following the introduction of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.  

Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council, says: “As committed participants of the Electrical Safety Roundtable we are very pleased that the group have published easily accessible, free guidance for landlords with properties in Wales to assist with their understanding and compliance with The Fitness for Human Habitation (Wales) Regulations 2022. 

“There is always a period of adjustment and familiarisation when new Regulations are introduced, and guidance of this kind is an example of the proactive and supportive role the Roundtable plays in enhancing electrical safety standards across the UK.”

The FAQs cover topics such as understanding an Electrical Installation Condition Report, how to ensure the electrical contractor used is qualified and competent in relation to inspection testing and remedial work and what written confirmation is needed to demonstrate remedial work has been completed. 

To read the guidance in English click here.

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.