Electrical Safety: Important Information for Landlords

The government is implementing new electrical safety standards from 1^st July 2020 to improve the safety in all residential let properties. This will affect all landlords.

What does this mean?

The new legislation requires landlords to have all fixed electrical installations to be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified electrician. This applies to all new tenancies as of 1^st July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1^st April 2021.

What is an electrical safety test?

An accredited electrician must inspect fixed electrical installations and issue a report. For example, the socket-outlets (plug sockets), the light fittings and the consumer unit (or fuse box) will be inspected.

What happens if my property is deemed unsafe?

The electrician completing the inspection will advise us of remedial works that need to be completed to comply with the electrical safety standards.

We can instruct our registered contractors to approve all works as a matter of urgency. An electrical safety certificate will be issued once this is complete. If a landlord decides not to complete the remedial work then a fail certificate will be issued and this will prohibit any new tenancy.

Financial penalties

Landlords who breach Electrical Safety Regulations may incur a financial penalty of up to £30,000

What do Landlords need to do now?

If SJM Properties already manages your property then we will automatically instruct an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) at the beginning of every new Tenancy from 1st July 2020 to ensure you meet your legal obligations.

If you have property in Taunton, Wellington or Bridgwater, now is a good time to consider signing up for our fully managed service. There are more than 150 other legislations that landlords must keep up to date and adhere to.

How can SJM Properties Taunton help you?

As your local letting agent, SJM properties will give you peace of mind that our knowledge and expertise will maximise your tenants’ safety and keep you on the right side of the law.

Regarding electrical safety, SJM Properties will:

• Instruct one of our registered contractors to complete an inspection
• Arrange access with tenants
• Communicate with clients throughout the process and report on any findings
• Organise for remedial works to be carried out
• Distribute the final certificate to all parties