Calling all Private Landlords! Government Measures on Electrical Safety Requirements in the Private Rented Sector

The Government has made an announcement on 29th January 2019 concerning mandatory electrical inspections for private rented accommodation in England.   The announcement states that the Government will introduce legislation that will require private residential Landlords to undertake safety checks for electrical installations at properties once every five years.    It will be a legal requirement that the inspections are carried out by qualified and competent inspectors and that their qualifications have been checked by Landlords.   It is expected that the Government will give guidance on the minimum levels of competence and qualification.

It is intended that the legislation will be introduced initially for new tenancies and then be extended to existing tenancies in due course.    The legislation will bring the presence for inspections into line with regulations which exist in Scotland.  

At the present time there is no indication from the Government concerning the penalties for non-compliance.   It is likely that Local Authorities will be given discretion to decide the most appropriate sanction in each case.    

For further information, or advice please contact Robert Anderson on 01274 723858, email: robert@rdcsolicitors.co.uk or Ram Saroop on 01274 735511, email: Ram@rdcsolicitors.co.uk