1st April 2021 & EICR… No laughing matter for Landlords [Updated for 2024]

UK Landlord’s & EICR

It has been nearly 12 months since the Government introduced the new Electric Installation Condition Report (EICR) regulations for rented properties.

HMO Regulations

Previously only in place for HMOs, the new regulations came into force on the 1st July 2020 for most new residential tenancies and now, with effect from the 1st April 2021, it is compulsory for all existing specified tenancies to have an EICR, failure to comply with the new requirements could lead to fines of up to £30,000.

Electrical faults account for nearly half of the domestic fires in the UK, 70 people are killed and 350,000 seriously injured a year due to electrical accidents at home.

We all know that over time electrical installations can deteriorate and its vitally important that they are checked on a regular basis. Any self-respecting landlord has a duty of care to ensure that the property they are renting out is safe for their tenants.

The new EICR regulations state landlords must have electrical installations in their rental properties inspected and tested every five years and provide a copy of their EICR to their tenants and local authority if requested.

Landlord Checklist

As landlords, at Open Property Group we welcome any new safety-oriented initiatives designed to protect tenants and ensure landlords are providing suitable properties for their tenants.

So, if you are a landlord and have not had the necessary EICR inspection undertaken on your existing tenancies, you need to be aware of the 1st April deadline and adhere to the 7 simple steps to make sure you are compliant:

1. Arrange for an EICR to be produced by a properly qualified and competent person.
2. Any remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the test (or sooner if so stated in the report).
3. Provide a copy of the EICR report to all tenants (individually) within 28 days of the test.
4. Keep a copy of the EICR report for your records.
5. Record the due date of the next test (within five years’ time) in your property management system.
6. Consider whether a new test is needed if work is done to the property.
7. Provide a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test.

If the report indicates that the property is not electrically safe, you must ensure that the recommended remedial work is carried out by a qualified person within 28 days or sooner – starting from the date of the inspection.

The EICR should not cost you a lot of money either. A competent registered electrician should be able to complete the work for approximately £200 and provide you with your EICR certification.

EICR COVID-19 Impact

The impact of Covid-19 has placed a strain on the electrical services industry. Which means that if you don’t arrange for your EICR to be completed by the 1st April, the Government has clarified that landlords will not be penalised for breach of regulations during the pandemic, as long as they can prove they have taken all reasonable steps to comply.

However, do make sure your tenants know when you have the inspection arranged to manage any concerns over installations in your property.

So, if you haven’t arranged an EICR for your existing tenancies, don’t leave you or your tenants and arrange for them to be tested now. Otherwise, 1st April this year will be no laughing matter.