NAPIT launch Guidance for Members on the new Electrical Safety Standards
11 May 2020
The Regulations require private landlords to have every electrical installation in their residential premises inspected and tested at intervals of no more than 5 years by a qualified and competent person.
To support the industry in meeting these requirements, NAPIT has produced some Guidance for its members outlining exactly what is expected of the ‘qualified and competent’ person instructed to undertake the inspection and test of the electrical installation. This includes setting out clearly what the landlord needs the electrical safety report to include, and providing a new reporting form to support landlords in easily communicating the result of the report to their tenants and the Local Housing Authority if applicable. The guidance also includes what is required of the electrical installer instructed to undertake any remedial or further investigation work which is identified on the electrical safety report.
David Cowburn, NAPIT’s Chief Operating Officer, commented: "We are delighted that the Government have taken steps to make the requirements around verifying the safety of electrical installations in privately rented properties clearer. The Government asked the electrical Competent Person Schemes, including NAPIT, to create a new registration scheme which inspectors and testers can choose to join to demonstrate they satisfy the requirements of being competent and qualified as set out in the Regulations. NAPIT’s Electrical Inspector Scheme serves exactly this purpose and will act as a vital resource for landlords wanting to find qualified and competent people to undertake electrical safety reports for their properties. Landlord’s not using a registered inspector and tester will have a legal obligation to demonstrate that they are qualified and competent, and those trade associations and professional bodies representing landlords and letting agents are recommending the use of the registration schemes. Our Guidance has been created to support our members and ensure they are informed about what landlords need from the electrical safety report. "
Despite the challenging and uncertain times we find ourselves in during lockdown, these Regulations are set to be introduced on the 1st June as planned, coming into force for new tenancies on the 1st July 2020 and for existing tenancies from the 1st April 2021. Government Guidance does make it clear that landlords are still required to ensure the electrical safety of their properties but does acknowledge the restrictions placed on them under the current situation. So long as the landlord can demonstrate they have tried hard to meet their duty as set out in these regulations then they are not in breach.
Our Guidance does outline the considerations needed to be taken by electricians for safe working during this time and will be regularly updated to reflect any changes made by Government and Public Health England. View the guidance in full here: https://www.napit.org.uk/downloads/Electrical-Safety-Standards-in-the-Private-Rented-Sector-Regulation-Guidance-for-NAPIT-members.pdf
Supporting documents:
NAPIT’s Electrical Inspector Scheme: https://www.napit.org.uk/schemes/inspection-testing-scheme.aspx
Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780111191934/contents
Explanatory memorandum: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2020/9780111191934/pdfs/ukdsiem_9780111191934_en.pdf
