Mandatory Electrical Safety Checks

• Electrical safety is an important legal responsibility for landlords in Wales. Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, landlords must ensure that the electrical installation within a rented home is inspected and tested by a suitably qualified person.

What is an EICR?

• An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the condition and safety of the fixed electrical installation within a property. This includes items such as wiring, sockets, consumer units and other fixed electrical installations.

How Often is an EICR Required?

• A rented property must have a valid EICR.

  Electrical installations must generally be inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years. However, an electrician may specify a shorter period on the report, in which case the earlier re-inspection date must be followed.

Providing the EICR to Contract-Holders

• Landlords must ensure that contract-holders receive the required electrical safety documentation. For a new occupation contract, the current EICR must be provided within 14 days of the occupation date.

  Where a periodic inspection and test is carried out during the occupation contract, the resulting report must also be provided to the contract-holder within the required timeframe.

What Happens if the EICR is Unsatisfactory?

• An EICR may identify electrical defects or areas requiring further investigation.

  Codes including C1 – Danger Present, C2 – Potentially Dangerous, or FI – Further Investigation Required will result in the electrical installation being assessed as unsatisfactory.

  Any necessary investigatory or remedial work should be arranged promptly with a suitably qualified electrician.

  Where investigatory or remedial work is undertaken, the contract-holder must also be provided with written confirmation of the completed work within the required timeframe.

Why is EICR Compliance Important?

• Electrical safety forms part of a landlord’s obligation to ensure that a rented dwelling is fit for human habitation.

  Failure to comply with the electrical safety requirements can have significant consequences for landlords and may also affect their ability to serve certain possession notices.

  Keeping accurate records of EICRs, re-inspection dates and any associated remedial works is therefore extremely important.

How My Place Properties Can Help

• For landlords using our management services, My Place Properties can help oversee the EICR process from start to finish.

  We can assist with:

  • Monitoring EICR expiry and re-inspection dates
  • Arranging access with contract-holders
  • Liaising with suitably qualified electricians
  • Coordinating required remedial works
  • Maintaining compliance records
  • Providing the appropriate documentation to contract-holders

  
  
  Keeping on top of electrical safety requirements doesn’t need to be complicated.

If you’re a landlord and would like help managing your property and its ongoing compliance requirements, contact us.