Electrical safety standards

The report

After the property has been inspected, you will get a report from the person who carried out the inspection. You then need to:

  • Give a copy of the report to each existing tenant of the property within 28 days of the inspection and test taking place
  • Keep a copy until the next inspection and test is due and give a copy to the person carrying out the next one
  • Give a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant before they move in to the property and any soon-to-be tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it

What you need to do if the report identifies problems

  • If the report identifies a breach, further investigations must be carried out within 28 days of the inspection, or within a shorter period if specified on the report
  • Get written confirmation from a qualified person that the further investigative or remedial work has been carried out and that the electrical safety standards are met or further work is needed
  • Give that written confirmation and a copy of the report to each existing tenant within 28 days of the works being complete

What the report will show

  • The report must state the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next one (which will need to be at least every 5 years)
  • Any items identified as C1 (Danger present / risk of injury) or C2 (Potentially dangerous) will need remedial works and the report will state the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use. If the scope of the completed works allows, then a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate will be issued to show compliance
  • If a different engineer does the corrective works then a new 'satisfactory' certificate can only be issued as standard following a full re-test (and associated cost)
  • Items identified as C3 (Improvement recommended) will not result in an unsatisfactory outcome as they are not considered to be unsafe, although improvement is recommended

The report under these regulations is not a set legal requirement under the Deregulation Act 2015, so not giving the report to a tenant will not affect landlords serving a section 21 notice, but  you would still be breaching the electrical safety regulations.

We can ask to see the report and this should be provided to us within 7 days of asking, or you could be fined.

Prev : What you need to do as a landlord Next : If the remedial works aren't completed
(opens new window) Print entire document