The change in law for Electrical Installation Condition Reports

There is a new update to the regulations in regards to the EICR reports for landlords, Trade Facilities Services will now follow these regulation in accordance with guidelines.  The new regulations, proposed in England, that from the 1^st of July 2020, all new private tenancies will require an electrical installation condition report (EICR). The installation will be required to be tested and inspected by a qualified person. The test and inspection will have to be done before any tenancy begins. The landlord will then have to ensure that a test is carried out at leastr every 5 years or when recommend by the previous inspection.

For existing tenancies, the reports will have to be inn place by April 1^st 2021, this will be followed up with regular tests as outlined above.

The regulations are to be implemented on all properties across the private sector. This includes Houses of multiple occupancy (HMO). If there is an arrangement for a lodger then this will excluded. This works as the following: the person is staying with the home owner and is sharing all the amenities. The family of the landlord if living at the premises is also excluded.

All EICR works must be undertaken by a qualified electrician, this is to ensure the regulations are met. The qualified electrician will be able to identify any remedial works required on the ( EICR Report ) Electrical installation condition report. Any remedial works identified will require being undertaken if required for the report to be satisfactory.

It has now been put in place that all local authorities can impose financial penalties of up to £30000. This will be done for breach of the regulations. If there is a situation where there are multiple breaches of the regulations, the local authority can put in multiple penalties.

(EICR) Electrical Installation Condition Reports

Once The ( EICR ) Electrical Installation condition report has been completed and the testing has been done, the landlord must do the following:

1. Ensure the electrician provides a EICR report, it is recommended that the electrician will be registered with NAPIT or a similar governing body.
2. Ensure the EIC Report has a date inserted for the next inspection, this is so you know wghen the next report date will be due.
3. Supply a copy or the EICR to the tenant of the property, this will include all the results and any remedial works required. It is recommended to be done within 28 days.
4. If an HMO then you will need to supply a copy of the electrical installation condition report to each resident. All residents must be able to access this information.
5. Supply a copy within 7 days to the local authority of requested, this is important that it is done. This proves you are keeping upto date with regulation.
6. Keep a copy of the report until the next inspection, this is good practice and is also good to give a copy of the paperwork to the electrician carrying out the latest inspection.

For new tenancies, the landlord must:

• Give a copy of the most recent report to a new tenant. This should be given before they occupy the property. It should also be noted , that the electrical regulations state that a new report is required at a change of tenancy.
• The EICR report must be provided to any tenant within 28 days if requested by the tenants and / or agent. This shows good practice.

If you have any further enquiries into the new regulations set out for landlords in relation to the guidelines for landlords, then you can have a look at the landlord handbook, speak to a local agent or call Trade Facilities Services. It is very important not to ignore these regulations as the local authorities have the right to impose large and strong fines.