Some landlords are unprepared for the latest phase of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations, according to Roger Morris, group distribution director of OneSavings Bank.
From 1 April 2021, all rented properties need to be certified as safe by way of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), prepared by a suitably “qualified and competent” person.
All fixed electrical parts of the property, including the wiring, plug sockets, light fittings and the fuse box, need to be inspected and tested; this includes permanently connected equipment, such as showers and extractors.
MfB: Interest in green BTL mortgages up sixfold
Landlords must also provide their tenants with a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection, retaining a copy of the report until the next inspection is due.
Morris highlighted that landlords have a duty of care to ensure their properties are safe and habitable.
Under the new regulations, the electrical installations in landlord’s properties must be inspected and tested at least every five years thereafter.
Landlords who fail to have these checks completed by a qualified professional could be fined up to £5,000 for a first offence, and up to £30,000 for reoffenders.
Morris said: “It may surprise you that some landlords are unprepared for the latest phase of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations.
“Some landlords still believe that requiring a valid EICR only applies to new tenancies, and are unaware that the regulations also encompass existing tenancies.”
Morris pointed to the use of a refurbishment buy-to-let product, which could assist investors in bringing their properties up to the required electrical safety standards.
He said: “It may surprise you that some landlords are unprepared for the latest phase of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations.
“Some landlords still believe that requiring a valid EICR only applies to new tenancies, and are unaware that the regulations also encompass existing tenancies.”