Changes to Electrical Safety Standards in residential tenancies

Introduction

New electrical safety Regulations, which came into force on 1 June 2020, mean that landlords of private residential tenancies in England will have to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person every five years.

The Regulations apply from 1 July 2020 for new tenancies and from 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.

Types of tenancy to which the regulations apply:

The Regulations apply to private tenancies where:

• The fixed length of tenancy is less than seven years
• The tenant has a right to occupy a property as their only or main residence
• The tenant pays rent – this does not have to be a market rent or even a monetary rent

This therefore includes assured shorthold tenancies,