As a landlord, your responsibilities are broad. You are responsible for the tenants and their safety. One of the biggest things that make you a good and responsible landlord is ensuring electrical safety. Overlooking this aspect could cost you a lot, not only in effort but also in money, especially repair costs, technical costs, and even legal fees.
So, how do you go about not overlooking this part? The Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate is an essential document. This certificate might not be the straightforward solution to all your electrical safety problems but it is a requirement.
The Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate shows that your property has been inspected, is safe, and is in compliance with UK electrical safety regulations.
Let’s talk more about the Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate:
Legal Requirements for Electrical Safety Certificates
Let’s talk about what you might need for an electrical safety certificate:
Current Regulations and Requirements
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 mandate that all landlords in England must ensure their properties’ electrical systems are inspected and tested at least every five years. Landlords are required to:
- Provide tenants with a copy of the EICR within 28 days of the inspection.
- Submit the certificate to local authorities within seven days, if requested.
- Address any faults or hazards identified in the report within a 28-day period.
You have to ensure compliance with these regulations otherwise you’ll have to deal with legal hassles and even a fine of up to £30,000.
Impact of the 2020 Law Change
UK law on electrical safety in properties has seen important changes in the last two years to ensure stricter provisions. Up until 2020, electrical safety in rental properties was fragmented, although nothing specific made it obligatory for landlords to require the inspection of the electrical system from time to time.
In July 2020, all that changed when the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations came into effect. These regulations mandated that all electrical installations in rental properties should be inspected and tested at least once every five years by a qualified electrician.
Before this, landlords were to ensure that there were safe electrical installations but did not specify how often the systems were supposed to be checked; thus, many were deprived of possible years. Under the new act, landlords would be required to provide tenants with copies of the Electrical Safety Certificate within 28 days after the inspection.
Which Properties Need a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate?
Properties in England are differently categorized and inspected. Regulations also differ for each property category. Here’s how:
All rental properties, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), must comply with electrical safety regulations. HMOs are properties rented by three or more tenants forming two or more households, often with shared facilities. Since HMOs tend to house a larger number of people, they are subject to stricter regulatory oversight. In addition to HMOs:
- Single-family rental homes also require an EICR.
- Holiday lets and serviced apartments rented on long-term leases may need certificates if considered part of the private rental sector.
- Social housing may have separate, yet similar, safety requirements.
How Often Do You Need an Electrical Safety Check?
Landlords must arrange electrical safety inspections at the start of a new tenancy, whichever comes first. Additionally, inspections may be necessary under specific circumstances:
- If significant electrical work has been carried out.
- After property damage that could affect the electrical system, such as flooding or fire.
- If an existing certificate has expired or is invalidated by changes in legislation.
You need to do a regular check because not only can you avoid any legal issues that might arise with regular safety checks but you may also identify any potential electrical problems in advance and fulfill your responsibility as a landlord to your tenants.
What Electrical Safety Checks Are Involved?
When an inspection is being performed, you can expect the electrician to perform a thorough examination of the property’s electrical installations and systems. This includes:
- Wiring: Ensuring all wiring is safe, intact, and free from wear or damage.
- Sockets and Switches: Checking for loose fittings, overheating, or signs of deterioration.
- Fuse Box/Consumer Unit: Inspecting for proper functionality, modern standards, and adequate circuit breakers.
- Earthing and Bonding: Verifying that the property’s earthing and bonding systems are secure and effective.
- Circuits: Testing for overloading, incorrect connections, or other potential hazards.
The inspection results are categorized as:
- Code 1 (C1): Immediate danger requiring urgent repair.
- Code 2 (C2): Potential danger that must be addressed soon.
- Further Investigation (FI): Additional checks are required to determine safety.
- Code 3 (C3): Recommendations to improve safety but not mandatory.
How to Obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate
Obtaining a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate involves hiring a qualified electrician to conduct an inspection of the electrical installations on your property.
Steps & Process
- Find a qualified electrician: It’s essential to choose an electrician who is registered with a recognised scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, as they ensure the electrician meets the necessary standards and qualifications to perform the required checks.
- Schedule the inspection: Once you’ve scheduled an inspection, the electrician will arrive and do a survey of the entire property and its electrical system.
- Inspection process: The electrician will check everything from wiring to sockets, switches, fuse boxes, panels, and more. You can expect the inspection to be incredibly thorough.
EICR Cert meets all the requirements and provides comprehensive services, ensuring that landlords receive a detailed assessment of their electrical systems and a reliable safety certificate.
When the inspection is done and you’ve passed the inspection, you will be issued the certificate, showing that your property is safe and you are compliant with the latest electrical safety regulations. In the event that the property does not meet safety standards, the electrician will provide a report outlining any necessary repairs or upgrades, and landlords will have a specified time to make these changes before the certificate is issued.
Once the certificate is issued, landlords must provide tenants with a copy within 28 days.
Costs of Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates
The cost of a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate in the UK can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the property, the complexity of the system, the location, and the electrician’s experience.
On average, the price ranges from £79 to £300 for a standard inspection. But, of course, the pricing varies for each property, the complexity of the inspection and/or repairs. Pricing can increase significantly if the property’s electrical system is severely damaged and needs to be fixed immediately. Here’s how you can estimate the cost:
- Size of the Property: The cost can vary based on the number of circuits, sockets, and electrical installations that need to be inspected. Larger properties with multiple bedrooms or complex electrical systems may cost more than smaller, simpler homes.
- Location: Prices can differ based on geographic location. For instance, properties in big cities can have higher inspection costs due to higher demand for services and the cost of living.
- Electrical Condition: If the electrical system is outdated or has been poorly maintained, additional repairs may be necessary, which will increase the overall cost. Some electricians offer package deals that include the inspection and necessary repairs.
- Type of Inspection: A standard visual inspection may cost less, while a full inspection with testing of all circuits, earthing, and bonding systems may cost more. Some electricians may also charge extra for providing an electrical report and certificate.
- Additional Services: Some electricians offer added services like Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for appliances supplied by the landlord, which can increase the overall cost.
EICR Cert offers transparent and competitive pricing for Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates, ensuring landlords receive a thorough inspection and compliance report without hidden costs.
Timeline for an Electrical Safety Check
An electrical safety check can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size and condition of the property. The timeline includes:
- Booking the Inspection: Scheduling with a registered electrician, which may require a lead time of a few days to weeks.
- Conducting the Inspection: The actual inspection process, where the electrician examines wiring, circuits, and fixtures.
- Issuing the Certificate: If no issues are found, the certificate is issued immediately. If repairs are needed, the timeline may extend by several days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the work.
Remedial Work and Compliance
If an EICR identifies issues, landlords must address these within a specified timeframe, usually 28 days. The process involves:
- Reviewing the Report: Understanding which issues require immediate attention (C1 or C2 codes).
- Hiring an Electrician: Engaging a professional to perform the necessary repairs or upgrades.
- Reinspection: Scheduling a follow-up inspection to verify that issues have been resolved.
- Updating the Certificate: Once remedial work is completed, the electrician will issue a valid certificate.
Failing to complete these repairs within the given timeframe can only lead to legal headaches and even a substantial fine, which you will surely want to avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do New Properties Need a Certificate?
Yes, new properties also require an EICR unless they have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued at the time of construction. This certificate is typically valid for five years, after which an EICR will be necessary.
- Other Considerations in Different UK Regions
While the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 apply in England, Scotland, and Wales have similar but distinct regulations. As a responsible landlord, you should know electrical safety laws to comply with regulations.
Conclusion
A Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate is a crucial part of owning a safe property. The electrical system of a property is like its nerve system and damaged nerves can lead to disaster. But with EICR CERT, you don’t have to worry about anything. If you need a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, we’ve got you covered. We are at your service. Book an inspection with EICR CERT today!
