Compulsory checks are to be introduced every five years on electrical installations in private rented properties.
The introduction will be phased over two years, said the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
In the first year, all new tenancies will be affected, and in the second year all existing tenancies will come within the remit.
The ministry has not given any timings for the introduction, but has said that properties that already have a valid electrical installation condition report (EICR) will not need to replace it until five years after its date of issue.
Agents will need to ensure that any inspectors issuing EICRs hold the appropriate qualifications, or risk fines.
ARLA called for the Government to issue a timeline as soon as possible for the new requirement.
It said: “The Government must ensure that there is sufficient time for practical implementation to take place. There will be a limited number of practitioners qualified to complete the checks.
“The rules need to be easy to understand and comply with, for both property professionals and their tenants.
“Letting agents are dealing with unprecedented levels of change over the coming months and the pressure on the private rented sector to deliver against all of the requirements should not be underestimated.”
I as a matter of course have these on all my properties. I am fairly technical but do not fully understand all the information provided. What I will say is that the lay person will not understand them unless they reduce the format to a pass or fail format.
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Good news. Should be compulsory on all rental property. Madness that it isn’t already.
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Hands up all those agents who haven’t been doing electrical checks. Now ask yourself …. why? Now take out the HHSRS guidance and cross reference it with Chapter 1 or 2 of part 4 of the Housing Act 2004. Relevant .. well this is how enforcement action is taken by local authorities for doggy electrics etc.
When I hear landlords complain that we as their managing agent require electrical checks (for decades) don’t want to pay the inspection fee (under £100) to protect themselves, just because they are not legal obliged (unless its an HMO) we remind them of their responsibility and liability with injury lawyer for you waiting to jump from high. None of our landlords have ever refused and some have had to fork out for unsatisfactory installations/components. You can also use it as part of your inventory, should the tenant cause damage.
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Good news about time – should be as important as gas safe certificate
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