New tougher electrical safety standards to protect private tenants

Update 1 June 2020 – Guidelines for Landlords, Tenants and Local Authorities on the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have today been released.

Click here for a copy of the Guidelines.

Point to note if you already have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR):

“The 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations came into effect in 2019, so if a landlord already has a report for a property that was carried out after this date and has complied with all the other requirements of the Regulations, they won’t have to have another inspection for 5 years, provided the report does not state that the next inspection should take place sooner.

Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the Wiring Regulations may not comply with the 18th edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.

It is good practice for landlords with existing reports to check these reports and decide whether the electrical installation complies with electrical safety standards.”

New tenancies formed from 1st July 2020 will need to comply before the tenant moves in. All other tenancies will need to comply before 1st April 2021.

Looking for an Electrician near you? Click here.

Responses to questions received since our posting of the NAPIT Guide

Firstly, I can confirm that the legislation has now been released as a statutory instrument.

Regulations apply in England to all new specified tenancies from 1st July 2020 and all existing specified tenancies from 1st April 2021.

There are some exclusions given in Schedule one of the legislation.

Question:

So, even though the Electrical Safety Report / Certificate might have been conducted 1 or 2 years ago, under the new Legislation for a new tenancy commencing 1/7/2020, a new Electrical Safety Report is required prior to commencement of tenancy. I assume this is correct??

Response:

It depends on how you interpret the legislation. That’s the issue, it’s very poorly written.

I believe the NAPIT requirement to test 100% is incorrect. It is not stated in the legislation or a requirement of the 18th edition test requirements. The 18th edition test accepts that a good property may only require 10% to be tested! How much is tested is at the discretion of the electrician (not the landlord).

Assuming your current ECIR is current (it should state when a next test should be conducted), for now I would say your ok.

I have a meeting with Bristol City Council on 10th June where it will be discussed. I have also asked NAPIT to justify their statement also Electrical Safety First for comment.

So hoping for some clarification soon!

Question:

The NAPIT Guidance for Landlords states that 100% of the electrical installation should be tested. My existing EICR Certificates only state 50%, I am advised that this is in compliance with the 18th Edition test requirements.  NAPIT suggests a higher standard than 18th Edition. Is this correct and if so does it invalidate my existing EICR tests?

Response:

This is a good point and if 100% test of the installation is required it will invalidate most existing EICR Certificates. The legislation does not state 100% of the electrical installation needs to be tested. Current 18th edition standard only requires a 50% test of the installation. It could be NAPIT’s miss-interpretation of Part 2, 3(1)b of the legislation. We will need to seek clarification of this from the LA’s!

Question:

This had been the requirement to obtain an HMO licence for many years.  It’s nothing new?

Response:

You are wrong, as this now includes all PRS properties and….

• you will note reporting actions for faults and their rectification is different.
• Each tenant (not each household) must get a copy of the safety certificate and this must be with 28 days of the test etc.
• Not having a valid EICR will not invalidate a section 21, the mandatory nature of the regulation and high potential penalty is considered sufficient incentive to be compliant. However, if a section 21 or 8 possession goes to Court and the tenant brings your failure to be compliant it is feasible that the Court may not award possession.
• I have no doubt there are other points relevant to you that you will find if read!

It is most certainly not the same as currently in place for Licensed HMO’s or otherwise!

It is likely that in due course Licensing conditions will be updated to reflect this legislation (Mandatory and Discretionary).

Question:

Have any electricians approached ALL Wessex, offering their services for this new regulation?

Have any costs been suggested?

Response:

Part P qualified electricians who are also members of NICIEC, ELECSA, NAPIT can do these checks. They will not have to be separately approved by the Local Authorities.

I received estimate pricing for four bed HMO’s for £200 plus VAT and one, two and three bed properties at £180 plus VAT. Hope that gives you a steer.

(Also, scroll down and see estimates on this news page).

Expect prices to increase as electricians will undoubtedly capitalise on the shortage of Part P electricians and surge of landlords demanding checks!

We have not been approached by any electricians. Some do not like doing these checks and there is no shortage of other electrical work.  They don’t need to advertise their services.

Qualified electricians can be found via this link.

Question:

Do you have any idea what the cost is likely to be, and also I am not clear if the person carrying out the test has to be approved by the local authority ie will they have a list or would we be able to use the same companies we use for for annual gas/electric safety certificates

Response:

Part P qualified electricians who are also members of either NICIEC, ELECSA or NAPIT can do these checks. They will not have to be separately approved by the Local Authorities.

I received estimate pricing for four bed HMO’s at £200 plus VAT and one, two and three bed properties at £180 plus VAT. Hope that gives you a steer.

(Also, scroll down and see estimates on this news page).

Expect prices to increase as electricians will undoubtedly capitalise on the shortage of Part P electricians and surge of landlords demanding checks!

Companies that service gas appliances may also be able to conduct electrical work assuming their electricians are qualified as above. Landlords will be responsible for checking electricians are Pat P qualified.

Question:

My PAT testing is now over-due but I wondered if we are still expected to let an electrician in all over the house in lockdown.

Response:

Currently PAT testing is not a legal requirement however, it is recommended as part of your obligation to provide safe electrical appliances.

The consultation that led to the legislation requires that landlords conduct their own visual inspection on appliances before each tenancy.  However, it is not actually reflected within this legislation or the NAPIT Guides, so I can only assume it has been dropped!

Unless you have any suspicion that the appliances have been misused or damaged, I would suggest it is not essential at this point in time and that postponing the PAT until after the risk of Covid-19 is reduced to a more acceptable level as sensible.

You may wish to check that your appliances are not on the following recall list: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls/  Particularly washing machines and dishwashers.

Update: 10 May 2020

NAPIT release a reminder with guidance for Landlords on this legislation. Click here.

News: 27th January 2020

The draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) 2020 Statutory Instrument has been laid before Parliament under section 214(2) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and section 250(4) and (6) of the Housing Act 2004, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament.

A product of a 17th Feb 2018 consultation and drafted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, we note that it can be interpreted in a way that does not reflect the original intent given by the consultation paper that is aimed at the Inspection and Testing or wiring installations. The use of the term “electrical safety standards” engenders confusion, certain aspects of this draft Statutory Instrument can be interpreted incorrectly.

The term “electrical safety standard” is defined in clause 2 as “means the standards for electrical installations in the eighteenth edition of the Wiring Regulations, published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the British Standards Institution as BS 7671: 2018;” (18th Edition ESS).  However, in clause 3(1)a “ensure that the electrical safety standards are met during any period when the residential premises are occupied under a specified tenancy;“.  This mandates that all PRS property electrical installations must be wired to the 18th Edition ESS.

Unless a landlord’s property was built or rewired in 2019 or 2020, the wiring installation could not possibly comply with the standard. Clearly an impossible mandate for most landlords who would be required to rewire their properties.

We believe clause 3(1)a should read: “ensure this regulation (The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020) are met during any period when the residential premises are occupied under a specified tenancy;”  Alternatively, Chapter 6 Inspection and Testing of Wiring Installations to the 18th Edition ESS could be stated.

Reassuringly we have been advised by Electrical Safety First as follows:

“The legislation was drawn up by lawyers and is therefore not the easiest to interpret.  The requirement actually simply refers to BS 7671 as the base reference – meaning that new installations/remedial work must comply with BS 7671. Existing installations need to meet the requirements for periodic inspection and testing to ensure they are safe for continued use. I have had this clarified by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government too.”

The 18th Edition ESS includes Chapter 6  Inspection and Testing of Wiring Installation. Within this chapter clause 651.2 NOTE 2 states “Existing installations may have been designed and installed to conform to previous edition of BS7671, applicable at the time of their design and erection. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe.”

However, their is no indication that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are intending to amend it. It is essential that landlords are not compromised be regulations that are incorrect. Any Court case will follow the regulation to the letter and not be influenced by opinion or how the regulation should have read.

It will be the Local Authorities that will regulate this statutory requirement, as such ALL Wessex will arrange to discuss our concerns with them.  ALL Wessex will also send a formal letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government demanding an amendment.

We have received a news letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government but it contains only limited information, it does, however, only relate to the inspection and testing of an electrical installation, thus supporting our view.  We recommend that Landlords interpret and plan to comply with the Regulations as follows:

When

• • New tenancies must meet the new requirements from July 1st 2020 
  • Existing tenancies must meet the new requirements from April 1st 2021
  • Every five years after the last inspection and test, unless a shorter term is recommended by the qualified electrician.

Note: we have asked the Local Authorities of Bristol, Bath, SGlos & NSomerset to comment on the acceptability of existing EICR certificates, if under 5 years old. Until told otherwise we believe these certificates should be valid. Unfortunately the guidelines contradict the regulations! 

 Management

• • Landlords must provide a copy of the EICR electrical inspection report to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection (or before the tenancy begins for new tenants)
  • Landlords must supply a copy to the local authority within 7 days (if requested)
  • Any faults highlighted by the electrical inspection must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner if detailed within the electrical report)
  • Written confirmation must be obtained to confirm that any necessary repairs have been completed

 Checks

• • Property must have a working smoke alarm on each habitable floor
  • Any electrical appliances (fridges, washing machines or similar) supplied must be visually checked and in good working order (PAT not required, landlord or agent can visually check)
  • Any electrical installation (fixed wiring, sockets, lights) must be checked by qualified electrician and be safe and in good working order.

Non-compliance with the new regulations will mean local authorities could impose a fine of upto £30,000

Approximate cost* of an EICR:

To budget for the cost of an electrical inspection on a home you let out to others, you should set aside the following guide amounts:

• 1 bedroom flat – £100 to £150
• 2 bedroom flat – £120 to £170
• 3 bedroom flat – £180 to £230
• 1 to 2 bedroom house – £150 to £200
• 3 to 4 bedroom house – £200 to £250
• 5 bedroom house and larger – £300 and higher

The prices quoted to us are based on a 10-circuit-or-less fuse board – most residential properties have fuse boards of this type. The prices quoted above exclude VAT.  Prices may increase if a shortfall of qualified electricians is experienced. (*Source – HouseholdQuotes.co.uk).

News: 18 Feb 2018

According to the most recent data tenants in the private rented sector face a higher risk of electrical shock and fires caused by electrical faults in their homes compared to social housing tenants.

To address this the government introduced new powers in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to set and enforce tougher electrical safety standards in the private rented sector and established a working group of independent experts from industry and a range of other sectors to develop recommendations.

Recommended new safety measures to better protect private tenants by reducing the risk of electric shocks or fires caused by electrical faults were published for consultation on 17 February 2018 by the then Housing Minister Heather Wheeler. We are not sure when the new legislation will commence, however, the latest info can accessed by clicking here.

Five yearly mandatory electrical installation safety checks for all private rented properties and safety certificates for tenants, to prove checks and repair work have been completed, are part of a package of independent recommendations to improve safety.

Independent recommendations include:

• 5 yearly mandatory electrical installation safety checks for all private rented properties.
• Mandatory safety certificates confirming installation checks have been completed along with any necessary repair work provided to both landlord and tenants at the beginning of the tenancy and made available to the local authority on request.
• A private rented sector electrical testing competent person’s scheme should be established to ensure properly trained experts undertake this work. This would be separate from existing building regulations competent person.
• Landlord supplied electrical appliance testing and visual checks of electrical appliances by landlords at a change of tenancy should be promoted as good practice and set out in guidance.