Electrical Checks Become Mandatory for ALL Rented Property in England from 1st April 2021
Landlords who have taken on new tenancies in on after the 1st July 2020 were required by law to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report – EICR for their property.
Landlords ignoring this ruling will face a fine of up to £30,000.
However, landlords who were thinking this didn’t apply to them, because they have established tenants that have been in situ long before this date, will now
have to adhere to the same legislation.
From 1st April 2021, the above rules will apply to all tenancies.
That means that landlords must ensure they have an EICR carried out by a qualified electrician/assessor, for all their properties by this date.
The tenants must be in receipt of a copy of the EICR and the Landlords or their agent must also retain a copy of the EICR certificate in order for them to supply one to their local authority if asked.
If the report requires the landlord to make repairs to ensure the safety of the property, then these repairs must be made by a qualified person (e.g. an electrician) within 28 days, unless the report specifies the work must be performed sooner. The qualified person must then provide the landlord with written confirmation, either that the safety standards are now met, or that further work is required. This written confirmation must then be supplied to each tenant within 28 days of the initial work being completed.
If repairs and improvements recommended in the reports are not made within 28 days, the local authorities can intervene and arrange the remedial work necessary.
The Electrical Installation Condition Report should be carried out every five years.