Since last year, all landlords in England have been required to have the electrical installations and appliances in their properties inspected and tested, at least every five years.

Over time, electrical installations will deteriorate and this can become a potential risk if they are not regularly checked.

According to the latest government fire statistics, more than 12,500 domestic fires and 750 fatal accidents are registered each year.

Who do the new regulations apply to?

The new regulations apply to private landlords for all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.

Are there any exclusions?

Some tenancies are excluded from the scope of the new regulations. These include:

• Private registered providers of social housing
   
• Shared accommodation with the landlord or landlord’s family
   
• Long leases, i.e. (more than 7 years)
   
• Student halls of residence
   
• Hostels
   
• Refuges
   
• Care homes
   
• Accommodation relating to healthcare providers (hospitals, hospices, etc.)

What happens if I don’t have an electrical inspection?

If landlords breach the regulations, local authorities can impose civil penalties up to a maximum of £30,000 and have the power to serve remedial notices (ordering works to be carried out).

In the case of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), the HMO licence could be revoked.

Who carries out an electrical inspection?

Here at JVA Building Service Ltd, our electricians can carry out electrical inspections in your properties then produces an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR).

Failed EICRs have 28 days (or less if stated by the electrician) to resolve any issues and obtain a satisfactory report. There is no upper spending limit for landlords when it comes to remedial works.

JVA Building Services Ltd can carry out the remedial work as we are accredited and qualified electricians, a requirement for this regulation.

Finding a JVA electrician

If you are a landlord managing properties yourself, you can get in touch with us here. JVA Building Services Ltd are a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) registered contractor, though there are other registration bodies we are also members of.

What does an EICR entail?

An EICR is an in-depth inspection of your property’s electrical systems and installation. The report assesses the competency of your electrics by three different categories:

C1 – this indicates that danger exists and will need immediate attention

C2 – this indicates that there is the potential for danger and advises urgent attention

C3 – this indicates that the electrics pose no danger but still recommends the improvement of the electrical system

An EICR provides you with the peace of mind that the electrical equipment (including accessories, sockets, switches, and cables) in your property functions correctly and does not present a risk of fire.

The EICR also contains information on the work required to get a property to the required standard, to identify electrical installations not in compliance with IET Wiring Regs, and to check for any part of the electrics in a home which present a risk of high temperatures or electric shocks.

Our electricians will test the following, according to Electrical Safety First:

• Fuse board or consumer unit
   
• Switches, sockets, and fixtures including light fittings (a sample section thereof)
   
• Installation polarity checks
   
• Protective device testing to ensure that they still work

How much will an EICR cost?

The cost of carrying out an EICR depends on a variety of factors. For example, the location of the property – is it in a central location or remote location and where in the UK?

The size and age of the property is also a factor. A three-bedroom house will obviously take longer to inspect than a one-bedroom flat.

Older homes will usually require more detailed testing. The cost of an EICR may also increase if a bespoke inspection of known issues or uncommon features is required.

As a benchmark, in London an EICR costs in the region of £220 (including VAT) for the first six circuits and £30 for each additional circuit. However, get in touch to get a personalised quote.

You generally will receive your certificate of compliance within a few days of the test being carried out by email – paper copies can be requested.

Register your appliances

If you are providing electrical appliances as a part of the rental agreement, make sure that you register them with the manufacturer so, if there is a problem, you can speak directly with them.

You should also advise your tenants to register any electrical products that they bring into the property.

Use the Electrical Safety First’s product checker to find out if any of the appliances that you and your tenants own have been subject to a recall or safety notice.