Five year mandatory electrical checks for landlords
It will become mandatory for electrical checks to be carried out every five years for all landlords in the private rental sector, it has been revealed.
This is just one of the compulsory requirements unveiled by the government as a raft of safety pledges which include a consultation into fire safety guidance in building regulations.
The moves follows an enquiry into the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the government says it wants more views about the planned revisions.
James Brokenshire, the Secretary of State for Communities, said: “Nothing is more important than ensuring people will be safe in their home and it's why I'm announcing a package of measures to improve building safety. I am clarifying guidelines and starting a technical review of fire safety aspects of building regulations this autumn.”
Landlords to carry out electrical installation safety checks
Currently, there aren't any details about the need for landlords to carry out electrical installation safety checks on their properties every five years and various landlord representative bodies say they are pressing the department for more information.
They are keen to find out what the regulatory and enforcement regime will be and what inspections will be required.
They also want to know who will be authorised to carry out any electrical installation checks and whether there will be any exemptions, particularly for new buildings.
Fears are growing over council licensing schemes
Meanwhile, an article in one national newspaper has highlighted fears that councils who are introducing landlord licensing schemes are effectively creating a buy to let register ‘by the back door’.
They say the schemes can cost landlords up to £1,000 to sign up to and one in five boroughs already operate such licensing schemes.
They say landlord organisations fear that because calls for a national landlord licensing scheme have so far been refused, many councils have introduced their own which offers the potential for a buy to let register being created.
The article also highlights that in some areas, more landlords have been prosecuted by their local authority for not being licensed than they are for letting a substandard property.
The Residential Landlords’ Association's policy director, David Smith, told the paper: “By its nature, licensing relies on landlords to proactively make himself known to the local authority. The criminal landlord who does not provide safe and secure accommodation to their tenants, will not come forward.”
The National Landlords’ Association's Chris Morris added: “There's been a growth in selective licensing schemes in the country and more will be introduced as local authorities look to boost revenues under the guise of cracking down on antisocial behaviour and improving housing standards.”
