Prepare For New Landlord Guidance Coming Into Force

Jill Wood, managing director of Signum Facilities Management, shares information about new landlord guidance being introduced this April.

From 1 April, new landlord regulations will come into force, which are centred around levelling up electrical safety in rented properties. Although most landlords are proactive with safety matters for their tenants, a minority fail to do so which can put tenants at risk.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LANDLORDS?

The guidance states that landlords are required to have their property inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified and competent person. This ensures that national standards for electrical safety are met.

Alongside this test, they also need to submit a copy of this electrical safety report to their tenants within 28 days or prior to a new tenant occupying the property, and to their local authority if requested.

It also requires any remedial or further investigative works to be completed within 28 days of the inspection, ensuring that landlords act on the findings of the reports as proof of compliance.

The regulations were introduced on 1 June 2020 and apply to new tenancies dated from 1 July 2020 onwards. The 1 April date is when the requirements will apply to existing tenancies.

HOW WE CAN HELP

The inspection should be carried out by a competent and qualified person which we can help with. By getting in touch with us, we can offer a thorough inspection of a property and our competency can be verified on the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) website.

It is vital that landlords adhere to this important legislation and by using a reputable company such as Signum you can have peace of mind that the inspection has been carried out correctly and that your tenants will be safe in your property.

For more information on the new guidance, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

For more information, please call our team on 01302 340 695.