01 December 2025

Landlords in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Northern Ireland are reminded of electrical safety checks that must be carried out for existing tenancies. Earlier this year, new legislation in Northern Ireland made electrical safety checks a legal requirement for landlords of properties let under private tenancies. 

The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 require landlords to ensure the inspection and testing of every electrical installation in their rented residential properties is carried out by a qualified person at least once every five years, resulting in the issuing of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

These regulations took effect for new private tenancies from April 1, 2025. From December 1, 2025, these regulations have now come into force for existing tenancies.

Landlords of private tenancies must:

• Ensure a rental property has its electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified electrician every five years.
• Obtain a report from the qualified electrician confirming whether the property has met the industry standard and passed, or, if the report identifies a fault, take remedial action within the required timescale.
• Retain a copy of the report until the next inspection and test is due.
• Provide a copy of the report to the tenant within 28 days of receipt and, if requested, to the council within seven days.
• Tenants should check they have been provided with a copy of the latest electrical safety inspection report. They should report any electrical problems or potential problems to the landlord in the period between inspections so that remedial action can be taken.

Tenants should contact their local council if the landlord does not take remedial action after they have reported a fault. 

Managing Director at NAPIT, Frank Bertie, said: “These requirements have now come into force for existing tenancies in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland. This legislation is vital for ensuring that tenants in the private rented sector are safe in their homes. 

“NAPIT will continue to promote and support electrical safety in Northern Ireland.”