Electrical safety report

All landlords are required to get an electrical safety check of the fixed electrical parts of a let property and give their tenants the report (free of charge). The rules differ depending on its location.

England

If you let property in England on assured shorthold or assured tenancy agreements you must comply with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. These state you must get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (unless you have a licenced house in multiple occupation) and give it to your tenants.

The following is a summary of the government guidance on what you should do to comply with the regulations:

• The property's fixed electrical parts must be tested at least every 5 years. This includes its wiring, fuse box, plug sockets and light fittings and other permanently connected electrical equipment. It doesn't include removable electric items, like white goods and televisions, which require portable appliance testing (PAT testing).
• The electrical parts must comply with building regulations British Standard 7671 (which came into effect on 1 January 2019).
• The person doing the testing must be qualified and competent to do it. You should check if they're a member of one of the electrical safety industry's competent person schemes. You should also ensure that they give you written confirmation that they have a British Standard 7671 qualification, adequate insurance and are suitably competent to perform the test.
• The Electrical Installation Condition Report will set the date of the next inspection and you must keep a copy of it to give to the next person conducting an inspection.
• You must give each tenant a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection.
• Prospective tenants must receive a copy of the current report before they move in.
• The property's local authority should be given a copy of the report within 7 days of any request for it.
• If the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, this must be completed within 28 days or any shorter period as specified in the report.
• Written confirmation of the completion of the remedial work must be given to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of the completion date.

Local authorities enforce the new regulations and can impose civil penalties up to £30,000.

Wales

The Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 requires landlords to get an Electrical Condition Report and then give it to their contract-holders.

The following is a summary of the requirements:

• The property's fixed electrical parts must be tested at least every 5 years. This includes testing any installation supplying electricity that's in the landlord's control. This is likely to include wiring, fuse box, plug sockets and light fittings and other permanently connected electrical equipment. It doesn't include removable electric items, like white goods and televisions, which require portable appliance testing (PAT testing).
• The electrical parts must comply with building regulations British Standard 7671 (which came into effect on 1 January 2019).
• The person doing the testing must be competent enough to do it and must be a member of one of the electrical safety industry's competent person schemes. You should get written confirmation that they have a British Standard 7671 qualification, adequate insurance and are suitably qualified to perform the test.
• The Electrical Condition Report will set the date of the next inspection. You should keep a copy of it to give to the next person conducting an inspection.
• New contract-holder's must be given a copy of the most recent report within 7 days of the occupation date. If the report requires investigatory or remedial work to be carried out, you must give written confirmation of the required work within this time. If the electrical safety inspection is carried out after the occupation date, you must give the contract-holder a copy of the electrical condition report within 7 days of the date the inspection was completed. If any necessary investigatory or remedial work is required, you must give the contract-holder written confirmation within 7 days of being notified about it.

Failing to comply with these requirements will mean your property is treated as if it were unfit for human habitation, and you cannot give a contract-holder a notice of possession until the failure has been rectified.

See the government guidance: Fitness of homes for human habitation: guidance for landlords for more information.

Northern Ireland

If you let a property under a private tenancy agreement, the Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 states you must ensure that every electrical fixed installation in the property is inspected and tested (unless you have a licenced house in multiple occupation). You must also get a written report (usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report) of the results to give to your tenants.

The following is a summary of the requirements, which apply from 1 April 2025 for new tenancy agreements, and 1 December 2025 for existing tenancies:

• The property's fixed electrical cables and fixed electrical equipment must be tested at least every 5 years (or earlier intervals if the report requires it). This will include wiring, fuse box, plug sockets, light fittings and other permanently connected electrical equipment. It doesn't include removable electric items, like white goods and televisions, which require portable appliance testing (PAT testing).
• The fixed electrical parts must comply with building regulations British Standard 7671 (which came into effect on 1 January 2019).
• The person doing the testing must be qualified and competent to do it. You should check if they're registered with a recognised electrical trade body or a member of one of the electrical safety industry's competent person schemes. Also, get written confirmation that they have a British Standard 7671 qualification, adequate insurance and are suitably competent to perform the test.
• The report will set the date of the next inspection. You must keep a copy of it to give to the next person conducting an inspection.
• Yous must give each existing tenant a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection.
• New tenants must receive a copy of the current report before they move in.
• Prospective tenants must receive a copy of the report within 28 days of receiving a request for it.
• The property's local authority should be given a copy of the report within 7 days of any request for it.
• If the report shows that remedial or further investigative work is necessary, this must be completed within 28 days or any shorter period as specified in the report.
• Written confirmation of the completion of the remedial work must be given to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of the completion date.

Local authorities enforce the new regulations. Breaches will result in a criminal penalty, which can be for a fixed amount and up to an unlimited fine.

See the government guidance for more information.

Scotland

Landlords in Scotland must carry out electrical safety checks of all installations, fixtures and fittings and provide a copy of the report to the tenants before their tenancy starts. The report will last for 5 years before another safety check must be performed.