Landlords and Letting Agents
Legal requirements on residential rented properties for landlords and letting agents
Dorset (BH postcode) landlords and letting agents must comply with safety regulations on residential electrical installations and appliances. We help landlords and letting agents with electrical safety matters in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, New Milton, Broadstone, Ferndown, Wimborne and other BH areas.
The regulations on electrical installations
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 states that the electrical installation in a rented property has to be safe when a tenancy begins and be maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy. Follow the link for more information for landlords and letting agents from the Electrical Safety Council.
The regulations on electrical appliances
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, mandatory since 1 January 1997. State that all electrical appliances supplied with let accommodation must be safe when first supplied. This means when the property is first let and on subsequent changes of tenant. The regulations apply to both new and second-hand appliances and cover all electrical items supplied for the intended use of the Tenant. The regulations also cover fixed appliances such as cookers, showers, night storage heaters and immersion heaters, which must also be safe.
Whilst formal testing of an installation and equipment is not a legal requirement, (except in the case of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (link to HMO sheet) where the Housing Act 2006 makes it a legal requirement that a fixed wiring inspection [otherwise known as a Periodic Inspection Report] is carried out every 5 years) the only sure method of ensuring that an installation and/or appliances are safe, is to have them tested by a trained competent person using the appropriate calibrated testing equipment.
Failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations may constitute a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which carries a maximum penalty on summary conviction of a £5000-00 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment.
Landlords and/or letting agents could also, in addition, be sued in Civil Law under THE DUTY OF CARE for failure to ensure the tenant’s safety and face punitive damages.
Testinspect Ltd provides a tailored service to letting agents and landlords to ensure you comply with these requirements. In line with Electrical Safety Council guidelines, we recommend a 5 yearly fixed wiring inspection, supplemented by an annual Visual Electrical Safety Report & PAT Test.
