A landlord’s gas safety certificate is a legal requirement
All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use.
From June 2020, private landlords in England are required to have a periodic inspection carried out on the installations in their rental properties every five years. This has been a legal requirement in Scotland since 2015. Electrical Safety First recommends that these checks are carried out wherever you live in the UK, to ensure the safety of your property and your tenants.
A periodic inspection will:
Reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded.
Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
Identify any defective electrical work.
Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.
Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe. A schedule of circuits is also provided, which is invaluable for a property.
How often is a periodic inspection required?
Your electrics should be inspected and tested every:
10 years for an owner-occupied home.
5 years for a rented home.
3 years for a caravan
1 year for a swimming pool.
Other times when a periodic inspection should be carried out are:
When a property is being prepared for letting.
Before selling a property or buying a previously-occupied property.
How can you ensure the Electrical Inspector we use to undertake your Electrical Inspection is qualified? All Electrical Inspectors at EPC2 will have:
Adequate insurance. This should include at least £2 million public liability insurance and £250,000 professional indemnity insurance
A qualification covering the current version of the wiring regulations (BS 7671)
A qualification covering the periodic inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations
At least two years’ experience in carrying out periodic inspection and testing