Sarah Bush, Director and Head of Residential Lettings at Cheffins explains what landlords need to know when it comes to electrical safety standards.

Legislation from the government states that all tenancies commencing on or after 1st June 2020 need to have a satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in place prior to the commencement of the tenancy.  All existing tenancies need to have a satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in place by the 1st April 2021.  The deadline for this is now fast approaching and all landlords need to ensure that properties in their portfolios are complaint in order to avoid a potential fine.

In short, this means that landlords must ensure that The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector are met at the commencement of a tenancy and whilst occupied during a tenancy with mandatory 5-year testing by a qualified electrician.   Most importantly, it is essential that all landlords ensure they have a satisfactory EICR for all tenancies by 1st April 2021 and that the EICR meets with 18th Edition Electrical Regulations.  

We have been working closely with the landlords of our managed properties to ensure that each one of these is compliant with the new government legislation. For any landlords with properties not under management, more information on the EICR rules can be found at www.arla.co.uk"

For any landlords whose properties are not managed by Cheffins but who might be interested in this service, please feel free to contact the lettings team on 01223 214214 or email Sarah Bush directly on sarah.bush@cheffins.co.uk 

Pictured - three-bedroom townhouse to let in St Mark's Court, Cambridge, £2,400 pcm