Landlords have a lot of work to do ensuring their rental property is safe, and fit for tenants. There are manty regulations for landlords to follow, and more are coming in the year which lies ahead. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 has not yet been approved by the House of Commons and the House of Lords, but this is not expected to be an issue.
Therefore, landlords should prepare themselves for new regulations coming into effect from July 1 2020. All new tenancies which start on or after July 1 2020 need to have a five-year electrical safety certificate in place for the property. All tests must be carried out by a registered electrician.
While the majority of tests will be sufficient to last for five years, in some cases, the report may recommend the property be tested sooner. Landlords should comply with the date which comes first.
Landlords with existing tenancies may think they have plenty of time to act. For existing tenancies, the Act comes into effect on April 1 2021. This provides some leeway for landlords to get their rental property in order, but landlords are advised to act sooner rather than later. After all, if a tenant leaves the rental property, and the new tenant moves in on or after July of this year, the new regulations will be in place.
We appreciate landlords are busy, but the sooner the regulations are managed, the better. We believe many local landlords already provide property which is safe regarding electrical standards, but of course, this must be verified by a qualified professional.
When landlords receive the report after the test, a copy must be given to their tenant within 28 days. When a new tenant moves into the rental property, they should receive a copy of the report before the tenancy begins. Landlords should also provide prospective tenants who request a copy of the report, a copy within 28 days.
If local authorities request a copy of the report, landlords should provide this in seven days. Bear in mind that local authorities can impose a penalty of up to 30,000 (pounds) on landlords who fail to comply with these regulations.
If the report recommends remedial work, landlords should undertake this in 28 days, or by the date mentioned in the report, if that is sooner. When remedial work is carried out, landlords should receive confirmation of the improvements. A copy of the improvements should be provided to tenants within 28 days.
At Smith Melzack, we know landlords are under considerable pressure, and require a helping hand. We are pleased to offer a range of property management services, and services aimed at assisting landlords care for their tenants and rental property. If you are a Wembley landlord and looking for help in managing your rental property, get in touch today, and we will be more than happy to assist you.
