Leading Independent Estate Agents in East London

On the 5th June 2020 the "Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020" came into force. While landlords have always been responsible for ensuring a property is electrically safe for their tenants, the regulations require landlords to ensure their properties are subject to electrical inspections and testing of the fixed wiring, carried out by a qualified, competent person at intervals not exceeding five years.

The requirements:

• A valid, ‘satisfactory’ EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) must be in place at the start of all new tenancies which commence from 1st July 2020.
• Tenancies which renew from 1st July 2020 onwards will need to have a valid, ‘satisfactory’ EICR in place at the point of renewal.
• All tenancies must have a valid, satisfactory EICR in place by 1st April 2021.
• Properties must be re-tested every 5 years, or at shorter intervals if specified on the EICR.
• ‘Electrical safety standards’ referred to in the legislation means the standards set out in the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671:2018. Properties tested prior to July 2018 are likely to need to be re-tested if the current EICR does not specify the property has tested to the standards of the 18th Edition.
• A copy of the certificate must be provided to a new tenant before occupation, and to any prospective tenant within 28 days upon request.
• The local housing authority can impose fines for non-compliance with the regulations.

More guidance about the regulations can be found at ​https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

Thames Lettings has been arranging such electrical inspections and certificates for many years and we use qualified, tried and tested electricians.  If you require any more information or advice please do not hesitate to ask.  We will be pleased to assist.

Three weeks ago we returned to our offices in Liverpool Street following the government’s announcement that the property market was permitted to reopen. We successfully adapted to looking after our clients remotely during the lockdown but it is great to be back in the area we love, serving our clients once again.

However, we realise this opportunity also comes with responsibilities and that we all must do what we can to minimise risks to our customers and to our team. We take the advice issued by government and by our professional body (ARLA Propertymark) very seriously and so we have taken steps to ensure we can work effectively and safely. For example, we are now offering video viewings, allowing clients to visit our properties from the comfort of their own home. While we can arrange a physical viewing subsequently, if we can limit the number of physical interactions during the early stages of a property search then this is a sensible measure. When a physical viewing is arranged, our team will come equipped with a face covering and gloves and will observe social distancing. Our investment a few years ago in an online signing and payment platform has also proved invaluable meaning our landlords and tenants can complete their tenancy documents remotely, even on their smartphone.

The coming months will no doubt present challenges, but we will use our local knowledge and years of experience in different markets to help our clients succeed. We look forward to working with you.

The government has outlined draft regulations requiring landlords and agents to have electrical inspections and testing carried out on all residential properties being let.  While the regulations still need to be approved by both the House of Commons and the Lords, it seems likely that "The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020" will shortly become law, putting extra responsibility on both landlords and agents.  Under the regulations for any new tenancy starting from 1st July 2020 onwards the property will need to have been tested and if needed brought up to standard before the tenancy commences.  For tenancies already in  place, testing and any required improvements will need to be completed by 1st April 2021.   To summarise:

• Properties being let on new tenancies commencing from 1st July 2020 will need to be tested and have a 'satisfactory' electrical certificate for the wiring installation.
• All properties let will need to be tested and have a 'satisfactory' certificate by 1st April 2021.
• Testing is to be carried out at least every 5 years (or more regularly if confirmed necessary on the electrical certificate).
• A copy of the certificate must be provided to a new tenant before occupation, and to any prospective tenant within 28 days upon request.
• The local housing authority can impose fines for non-compliance with the regulations.

More information can be found at https://www.arla.co.uk/news/january-2020/electrical-safety-regulations-to-come-into-force/  or in the full draft regulations.


Thames Lettings has been arranging such electrical inspections and certificates for many years and we use qualified, tried and tested electricians.  If you require any more information or advice please do not hesitate to ask.  We will be pleased to assist.