The UK government has increased its commitment to the safety of tenants in rented accommodation by publishing draft legislation that aims to make electrical safety testing mandatory across the private rented sector. Until now, electrical safety checks have been compulsory for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) but only recommended for all other rented properties. To provide a boost for millions of renters, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 - currently in draft form but scheduled to come into force on 1 July 2020 - will look to make electrical safety testing mandatory for all rental properties in the UK.
While gas safety checks have been compulsory for some time, tenants have effectively been subjected to something of a lottery in terms of the safety and reliability of the electrical installation. Under the new legislation this lottery will be removed, and all rented properties will need to be certified as safe. Domestic fires are a significant cause of injury and death with the majority traceable back to faulty electrics, and renters will now be able to hold their landlords to account in this area. In addition, this new legislation will help landlords to protect their properties more effectively, so there is a benefit to both parties.
As Mark Smith, owner of MS Electrical Services, comments, this new legislation has the potential to reduce fatalities. 'Since launching MS Electrical we’ve focused on helping to save lives by carrying out regular electrical safety checks in commercial premises and rental properties,’ says Mark. ’The challenge, however, has been that electrical safety checks haven’t been compulsory in the rental sector. Not only has this potentially placed tenants’ lives at risk, it has also opened up the possibility of properties being damaged through what are effectively preventable incidents. We’ve been providing electrical safety testing to landlords and letting agents for many years, and we’re looking forward to working with even more in the run up to the launch of the new legislation and then on into the future.’
The new legislation is currently in draft form and can be reviewed here.
If you're a letting agent or landlord and you have any questions regarding electrical safety compliance or wish to request a no-obligation quotation for your PAT testing or fixed wire testing in Cambridge, please call us on 01223 850301 or complete our enquiry form.