Safety, standards and security for private rented housing

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

• Ensure that the electrical safety standards are met whenever the property is occupied by a tenant
• Have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least once every 5 years by a qualified electrician

If you fail to comply with your duties under these regulations you may be liable for a financial penalty (currently up to £30,000 but expected to be increased to £40,000 when the Renters Rights Bill becomes law).

Electrical Inspection and Test Reports

Landlords must

• Keep a copy of the electrical test report until the next inspection
• Provide a copy of the report to the person carrying out the next inspection
• Give a copy to every tenant within 28 days of the inspection
• Give a copy to every new tenant
• Give a copy to a prospective tenant if requested in writing

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has the right to request a copy of the report.  If you receive a request in writing from the council for a copy of the report, you must send it within 7 days.

What to do if a report shows faults

Electrical test reports will usually categorize any faults that are identified

• C1 - Danger present and a risk of injury - immediate action required
• C2 - Potentially dangerous - urgent remedial action required
• C3 - Improvement recommended
• F1 - Further investigation required without delay.

If the report indicates C1, C2 and F1 faults you must within 28 days employ a qualified electrician to carry out remedial works or, in the case of F1 faults, to investigate further and carry out any works that may be necessary. 

You must then obtain written confirmation from the electrician showing that the electrical installation is now safe.  You must then provide a copy of that report to your tenants and the council without waiting for a written request.