Renters' Rights and Electrical Compliance: What Landlords Should Prepare For

The Current Legal Position

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have been in force since 2020. Under these regulations, all private landlords in England are required to:

• Have the electrical installation in their rented property inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years by a qualified and competent person
• Obtain a report from the inspector following every inspection, detailing the condition of the installation
• Supply a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection being completed
• Supply a copy of the report to new tenants before they occupy the property
• Supply a copy to a prospective tenant within 28 days of a written request
• Retain a copy for at least two years
• Supply a copy to the local authority within 7 days of a written request

What Happens When a Report Is Unsatisfactory

If the EICR is Unsatisfactory — meaning a C1, C2 or FI observation has been recorded — the landlord must arrange and complete remedial works within 28 days of the report, or sooner if the report specifies an earlier timescale. Written confirmation that the works have been completed must be obtained and copies provided to tenants and, if requested, the local authority.

Local authorities have enforcement powers under the regulations. They can serve remedial notices requiring works to be carried out within 28 days, and failure to comply with a notice can result in a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

The Renters' Rights Bill

The Renters' Rights Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in 2024, contains significant changes to the private rented sector. While the Bill's primary focus is on tenancy reform — abolishing fixed-term tenancies, restricting rent increases, and strengthening tenants' rights — it also has implications for property standards and the regulatory environment in which landlords operate.

Under the broader framework of reforms associated with the Bill and related policy changes, the expectation from government is that rental properties should consistently meet the Decent Homes Standard. Electrical safety compliance — which is already mandatory — will continue to be a core requirement, and enforcement is likely to be prioritised by councils as part of their wider housing enforcement responsibilities.

The Practical Position for Landlords

The safest position for a landlord is to have a current, Satisfactory EICR for every tenanted property, and to keep track of when each certificate is due for renewal. Five years passes quickly, particularly across a portfolio of properties.

For landlords who have properties with outstanding remedial observations, getting those resolved promptly is important — not just because the regulations require it, but because an unresolved Unsatisfactory report creates a documented record of non-compliance that can become relevant in any dispute with a tenant or enforcement action by the council.

Letting Agents and Compliance

Where a letting agent manages a property on behalf of a landlord, responsibility for compliance should be clearly documented in the management agreement. The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations place the obligation on the landlord — not the agent — but many landlords delegate the practical task of arranging EICRs to their managing agent.

It is worth checking with your agent that they have a clear process for tracking EICR renewal dates across your portfolio, and that they are using qualified inspectors who produce reports that meet the standard required by the regulations.

Looking Ahead

The direction of travel in private rented sector regulation is toward greater accountability for landlords around property condition. Electrical safety is already a hard legal requirement. Staying compliant now — maintaining valid EICRs, acting on Unsatisfactory reports promptly, and keeping documentation in order — is the straightforward way to avoid enforcement action and protect both tenants and your investment.