The government has issued updated and exhaustive guidance on electrical safety standards across the private and social rented sectors.

Much as Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard – both currently applying to the social sector – will be extended into private renting in the coming years, so the Electrical Safety Standards currently in operation in the private rented sector in England is now being extended to social housing too. 

The regulations require that landlords or their agent representatives have the electrics in their rented properties checked at least every five years by a properly qualified person. Social landlords who provide electrical equipment must also have this tested. Landlords must give their tenants proof of that they have had installations and equipment inspected, tested and checked.

All landlords or their agent representatives must:

• Ensure electrical safety standards are met. They are set out in the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations which are published as British Standard 7671;
• Ensure the electrical installations in their rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified person (a person competent to undertake the inspection and testing) at least every 5 years;
• Obtain a report (usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report – EICR) from the person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets a date for the next inspection and test. For social landlords who provide electrical equipment, the report must also state whether electrical equipment checks are up to date;
• Supply a copy of the report to the existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test;
• Supply a copy of the report to a new tenant before they occupy the premises;
• Supply a copy of the report to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request for it;
• Supply the local council with a copy of the report within 5 days of receiving a request for it;
• Retain a copy of the report until the next inspection and test is required or (if later than this) conducted, unless it is superseded by a more recent report;
• Supply a copy of the report to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test;
• Where the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report;
• Within 28 days of the completion of the remedial work or further investigative works, supply the tenant and the local council with the report, and written confirmation from the qualified person who carried out the works.

You can read the full guidance here.