Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate the law has changed in 2023
Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, Did you know that if you own a rental property in England, the law will change in April 2023? You will be responsible as a landlord for obtaining a landlord electrical safety certificate for each property you own. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need a landlord electrical safety certificate (also known as an EICR certificate) for your property, Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate.
What are the legal requirements for electrical safety certificates for landlords?
A valid landlord electrical safety certificate is required for each rental property you own. Every five years, this electrical safety certificate must be renewed. It is your responsibility as a landlord to organize this and ensure that any work is done safely.
What exactly is an electrical safety certificate for a landlord?
A landlord electrical safety certificate is issued when an electrician, engineer, or other “competent person” tests the electrical installation in a rental property to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Light fittings
Wiring
Fuse boxes
Plug sockets are all part of the electrical installation.
These can deteriorate and break over time, increasing the risk of electric shocks and causing fires.
How has the law regarding landlord electrical safety certificates changed?
The law was first changed in July 2020. After this date, any new or renewed tenancy had to have a valid landlord electrical safety certificate. All rental properties must now have a certificate. You could face fines of up to £30,000 if you do not have a certificate in place.
Is the landlord’s electrical safety certificate renewed on an annual basis?
The landlord’s electrical safety certificate does not need to be renewed on an annual basis. You must renew your landlord electrical safety certificate every five years if you have one. It is also advised that you have one performed if there is a change in occupancy.
Is a landlord electrical safety certificate required if I own a property in Scotland?
Yes, a landlord electrical safety certificate is required in Scotland. If you own a short-term rental in Scotland, such as an Airbnb or holiday cottage, you will soon need a landlord electrical safety certificate and a PAT testing Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate.
Is a landlord electrical safety certificate required if the property is new?
You do not need an electrical safety certificate if you buy a newly built or completely rewired property. For the next five years, the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) you were issued can be used in place of an electrical safety certificate.
So, if you buy a new buy-to-let property and the EIC was signed in November 2020, you won’t need an electrical safety certificate until November 2025. Even if your property was only partially rewired, an EICR is still required.
What is the process for obtaining a landlord electrical safety certificate?
To obtain a landlord electrical safety certificate, you must arrange for a ‘competent’ person to inspect your electrical installation, such as an engineer. The engineer will visually inspect your installation for damage and will run electrical currents through your circuits to ensure that they are safe to use. Engineer will need to turn off the electricity to conduct the inspection, so keep this in mind if you already have tenants in your home. The engineer will give you a report and tell you whether the inspection was satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If it is unsatisfactory, you must repair and retest any faulty circuits within 28 days.
You can then provide a copy of the report to your tenant for their records, as well as a copy to your local council or insurance company if they request one.
More information on landlord electrical safety certificates.
Electrical safety certificate?
It is determined by the size of your property’s electrical installation.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay not only for the inspection. But also for the repair of any faulty circuits that are discovered.
