Are Landlords in England Legally Required to Provide Electrical Safety Checks?

As a renter in England, you may wonder about your rights around electrical safety and what responsibilities your landlord has to ensure your home is safe. “Are electrical safety checks mandatory in England?” is a common question. Staying informed can help you feel secure and empowered in your rented home.

What Are Electrical Safety Checks and Are They Mandatory?

In England, it is a legal requirement for landlords to have the electrical installations in their rental properties inspected and tested every five years by a qualified person. This rule applies to most tenancies, including assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). The law aims to ensure the electrical wiring, sockets, and consumer units (fuse boxes) are safe for use.

• Applies to both new and existing tenancies
• Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Any urgent remedial or further investigative work identified by the EICR must be completed within 28 days (or sooner if specified)

These rules were introduced by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020¹.

What Does an Electrical Safety Check Cover?

The electrical safety inspection checks all fixed electrical parts in your rented home, including:

• Main wiring, sockets, switches, and light fittings
• Consumer units (fuse boxes) and circuit breakers
• Permanent fixtures such as showers and extractor fans if wired directly

Portable appliances supplied by the landlord (like kettles and toasters) are not covered by this requirement, but landlords still have a duty to make sure any supplied appliance is safe under general health and safety legislation.

What Rights Do Renters Have?

As a tenant, you have the right to:

• Be given a copy of the most recent EICR either before you move in (new contracts) or within 28 days of the inspection (existing tenancies)
• Ask for written proof of any remedial work if defects were found
• See evidence that your landlord has complied if you request it

If you have not received your EICR and believe your landlord is not following their duties, you can take action to protect your safety. The local council has the power to enforce compliance and issue penalties to landlords who fail these duties.

How to Report Concerns or Make a Complaint

If your landlord fails to provide the EICR or complete urgent safety work:

• Contact your local council’s private rented housing team. They can investigate and order your landlord to comply.
• If dissatisfied with council action, you may seek further redress through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).

Relevant Forms and How Renters Use Them

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) (no official form number):
  Provided by a qualified electrician after inspection. You should get a copy from your landlord.
  More on electrical repairs and reports from GOV.UK.
• Local Council Complaint Form (varies by council):
  Use your council’s official online complaint system to report electrical safety issues. Search for “private renter complaint” on your council's website or find your local council via find your local council.

For example, if you move in and are not given an EICR report, you can email your landlord and, if unresolved, use the local council’s complaint form. This helps the council act against unsafe landlords.

What Happens If the Landlord Doesn’t Comply?

Landlords who fail to complete mandatory checks or repairs can be fined up to £30,000 by the local authority. The council can also arrange remedial works themselves and reclaim costs from the landlord. These penalties are detailed in the 2020 Regulations¹.

To further understand your protection, see the main English law outlining tenant rights: the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985².

FAQ: Electrical Safety Checks in England

1. Is my landlord legally required to carry out electrical safety checks?
   Yes, landlords in England must have electrical installations inspected and tested at least every five years, and provide tenants with the EICR.
2. Can I ask to see a copy of the EICR if I haven’t been given one?
   Absolutely. Your landlord should provide this within 28 days (or before you move in on new tenancies). Ask in writing if needed.
3. What if the report says there are electrical faults?
   Your landlord must have any urgent remedial work completed within 28 days or sooner if the report requires. You are entitled to written confirmation once the work is done.
4. Who can I report my landlord to if they don’t follow the rules?
   You can contact your local council’s private rented housing team to report failures. Persistent non-compliance may also be referred to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
5. Does the law apply to all types of rented homes?
   The rules apply to most private tenancies, including assured shorthold tenancies. Some exceptions exist for certain long leases, student halls, and lodgers living with their landlord.

Conclusion: What Renters Should Remember

• Electrical safety checks are mandatory for most rented homes in England, carried out every five years by law.
• Landlords must provide you with the official EICR report and fix any urgent issues quickly.
• If you don’t receive your report or are worried about safety, your local council can help enforce these rules.

Understanding your right to a safe home and what steps to take if those rights aren’t met helps protect your wellbeing as a renter.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Private renting: Repairs and safety (GOV.UK)
• Find your local council for complaint processes and housing advice
• First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) – official body for residential property disputes
• Shelter England: Landlord responsibilities for repairs (national charity offering advice)

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1. Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
2. Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

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