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.”
