The government has confirmed that it is to introduce obligatory inspections of electrical installations in all privately rented homes in England, Landlord Today announced on the 15th of January.
Mandatory safety checks – to be carried out at least every 5 years – are scheduled to come into effect in July, subject to parliamentary approval.
From the 1st of July this year, the electrical safety check must be carried out and certified by a qualified technician before the start of any new tenancy. Safety checks are then required every five years – or earlier if the last inspection requires one sooner.
In existing tenancies, the initial electrical safety inspection must be conducted by the 1st of July next year and, once again, repeated at least every five years.
The draft regulations currently before parliament propose fines of up to £30,000 on those landlords who fail to comply.
Spokesmen for landlords and lettings agents have already welcomed the move, saying that many professionally-minded landlords already conduct such safety checks and that the new regulations creates a level playing field for everyone – as well as raising the safety standards for tenants, of course.
Pressure groups have questioned whether there are sufficient numbers of qualified people to undertake the inspections required in every privately let property as early as the 1st of July 2021, but the government is confident that adequate resources are available.