In this podcast, Rob speaks to Charlotte Lee and Frank Bertie from the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT). They discuss how landlords with properties in England can get the necessary inspections carried out to acquire the electrical safety report that is now needed under the latest Electrical Standards Regulations. Including, how to hire someone who is properly qualified to carry out the inspection.

They also briefly go through the main reasons a property may fail an inspection. As well as speaking about how to rectify issues. For example, what to do if you have an installation that does not comply with the 18th edition of the wiring regulations is discussed along with other scenarios.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• From 1st April 2021, the July 2020 changes to the electrical standards regulations will be applied to all specified existing tenancies in England. Rather than just to new tenancies, as was the case before.
• Scotland: In Scotland, since the 1st of December 2015 under sections 13(4A) and 19B (4) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, private landlords are responsible for ensuring that an electrical safety inspection with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) of their property to be carried out by a registered electrician at least every five years.
• All tenancies will require a safety report called an Electrical Installation Condition Report to be in place.
• Every 5 years a new inspection and Electrical Installation Condition Report will be required.
• If a property is unsatisfactory the landlord has 28 days to fix any issues.
• The person who carried out the EICR inspection does not necessarily have to do the remedial work.
• Electrical Installation or Remedial Work: Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords are required to use qualified and competent electrical contractors to undertake both the inspection and test and also any remedial or further investigative work which is identified.
• The search facility on: https://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/allows you to search for an electrical company who is qualified and competent to undertake electrical installation or electrical inspection work. If you choose not to use a registered business, a checklist should be signed by the contractor to verify their competence.
• There is a limited list of tenancies that are not covered by the new regulations.
• Covid may make it difficult to carry out these inspections e.g., if tenants are shielding, but landlords will need to conclusively demonstrate that they have tried to comply with the regulations.
• The local authority has to be provided with a copy of the report within 7 days of inspection. As do your tenants, within 28 days of the inspection.
• In a few cases, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) can still be used. This topic is discussed in detail in the podcast.
• It is the landlord´s responsibility to check that the inspector is properly qualified and competent to carry out the inspection.
• Even if you use a letting agent, the regulations state that the landlord is still ultimately responsible for compliance with the regulations.
• Landlords should keep a copy of the complete paper (or digital) trail to prove that they are fulfilling their responsibilities.

BEST MOMENTS

‘(The regulation changes) will apply to all specified tenancies from the 1st of April 2021.’

‘A lot of buy-to-let landlords have not had it before. Now they’ve got to get it done.’

‘A valid EIC rather than an EICR … can be used if the house has undergone a full rewire.’

EPISODE RESOURCES

nta@napit.org.uk

https://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/ - to find a competent inspector in England

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Property Nomads Website 

Buy to Let: How to Get Started – By Rob Smallbone (Amazon)

ABOUT THE HOST

Rob Smallbone the host of The Property Nomads Podcast, is on a global mission to guide your success. Success can happen in many ways, shapes, and forms. Think about what success means to you. More properties? More clients? Financial freedom? Time freedom?

Rob wants to make a huge difference to people around the world. He is here to guide your success in property, business, and life and to inspire you to achieve your goals, dreams, and visions. He's travelled, explored, and invested. And he's not planning on stopping these activities anytime soon.

Buckle up, sit tight, and enjoy the ride that is life.

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