On July 1st The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into effect for new ‘specified tenancies’. Existing tenancies will not be affected until April 1st 2021.

Please look at our guidance below on what the new regulations require so that you are prepared:

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

New regulations are to come into effect that will require each dwelling to acquire an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years: ‘electrical installation’ means fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer’s side of the electricity supply meter. These Regulations apply in England only to all new ‘specified tenancies’ from 1st July 2020 and all existing ‘specified tenancies’ from 1st April 2021.

These regulations apply to almshouse charities.

The first inspection and testing on an almshouse property must be carried out before the resident moves-in,  in relation to a new ‘specified tenancy’ and from 1st April 2021 in all the properties, in relation to an existing ‘specified tenancy’.

Following the inspection and testing charities must:

  • obtain a written report from the person conducting the inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test;
  • supply a copy of the report to each existing resident of the residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test;
  • supply a copy of the report to the local housing authority within 7 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that authority;
  • retain a copy of that report until the next inspection and test is due and supply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test; and
  • supply a copy of the most recent report to:
  • any new resident of the ‘specified tenancy’ to which the report relates before that resident occupies those premises; and
  • any prospective resident within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective resident.

Any further investigative or remedial work identified in the report should be carried out by  a qualified person(s) within 28 days, unless a shorter period is specified.  The charity must obtain written confirmation confirming that the investigative or remedial work carried out meets the  electrical safety standards.

Full details of the legislation and ‘landlord’ responsibilities can be found here: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780111191934

NOTE: These regulations only apply to charities operating in England

Posted 6 July 2020