Landlords warned over £30,000 safety fines

Landlords in England are being warned to comply with new safety laws or risk fines of up to £30,000.

That's because on 1 April, a new law for existing tenancies will come into force that will compel landlords to provide documentation that their rental property has been made electrically safe.

The documentation has had to be provided since 1 June 2020 for new tenancies.

The new safety laws have been championed by Electrical Safety First and they require landlords with a rental property to have an electrical installation inspected every five years.

Electrical installation condition report

The EICR, or electrical installation condition report, will highlight whether any work is necessary for ensuring the property is safe for tenants.

The report costs between £150 and £300 for a landlord depending on the location and size of the property.

Having a satisfactory EICR means there's no need for a repeat inspection for another five years - unless this is otherwise specified.

The report will need to be completed by someone who is competent in testing and inspection, for example, a registered electrician.

A copy of the current EICR

All landlords must now hand their new tenant a copy of the current EICR when their tenancy starts.

And despite Covid-19 restrictions still being in place, electrical safety checks are still allowed legally to go ahead.

And should a tenant be shielding or refuse access to the property means the landlord should retain all correspondence that illustrates they have attempted to comply with the new law.

The new regulations are enforced by local councils and failing to comply or undertaking any necessary repairs can lead to a fine of up to £30,000.

Tenants will be better protected

The chief executive of Electrical Safety First, Lesley Rudd, said: "Tenants will be better protected from electrical dangers under the new law.

"And while most landlords will have already carried out the checks, some will not."

Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The new law will help protect tenants in their rented homes and all landlords need to comply with it.”

Landlords want more energy improvements information

Meanwhile, a report by MPs criticising energy performance certificates (EPC) is being backed by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA).

The EPC must be handed to a prospective tenant and rented homes must have a rating of at least 'E'.

The government wants this rating on tenancies to be a 'C' from 2025, and for current tenancies from 2020.

MPs say that EPCs are outdated and do not support low carbon heating or energy efficiency measures

Gavin Dick, the NRLA's local authority policy officer, said: "We welcome the report which features recommendations we have been calling for and we believe will ensure that landlords are empowered to make essential changes."