Electrical installation inspection and test at least every 5 years

A tenancy of residential premises in England that gives the right to occupy as an only or main residence for rent, unless excluded by Schedule 1 (for example lodgers sharing amenities with the landlord or the landlord's family, leases of 7 years or more, student halls, hostels and refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices, moveable structures).

Ensure the electrical safety standards (the 18th edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671:2018) are met whenever the premises are occupied under the tenancy. Ensure every electrical installation is inspected and tested by a qualified person before the tenancy commences and at intervals of no more than 5 years, or by any earlier date the most recent report requires. Obtain a report giving the results and the date by which the next inspection and test is required.

Deadline

Every 5 years

Next inspection is due by the earlier of 5 years after the last inspection or the date stated in the report. An inspection is also required before a new tenancy commences.

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from a qualified person
• Evidence of the inspector's competence (for example a competent person scheme membership)

Civil penalty

Up to £40,000

Other consequences

The council must serve a remedial notice where it has reasonable grounds to believe a duty is breached; it can arrange the work itself and recover its costs, and, where the report identifies urgent remedial action, arrange that work with the tenant's consent. Financial penalties of up to £40,000 per penalty can be imposed (more than one for a continuing failure).

• Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312), reg 3(1)-(3)(a)legislation.gov.uk
• SI 2020/312, reg 11 (financial penalties, maximum £40,000)legislation.gov.uk
• SI 2020/312, Schedule 1 (excluded tenancies)legislation.gov.uk
• Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1043), reg 1 (commencement)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

From 1 November 2025 (SI 2025/1043, in force for private landlords on that date): the maximum penalty rose from £30,000 to £40,000; a defence was added where the landlord shows all reasonable steps were taken (a tenant refusing entry does not oblige the landlord to bring court proceedings); report retention and prospective-tenant duties were added; and the regulations were renamed to include the social rented sector. These changes came from SI 2025/1043, not from the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which did not change the electrical penalty amount. Electrical equipment (appliance) checks in Part 2A apply only to social landlords. For licensed HMOs and licensed houses, the licence holder must also give the council a declaration of electrical installation and appliance safety on demand.

• Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineerIn force since 3 October 1998

  Every gas appliance and flue you provide must be safety-checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer within 12 months of installation and then at least every 12 months, and within the 12 months before any new tenancy starts.

• Keep gas fittings and flues in a safe conditionIn force since 3 October 1998

  Between annual checks you must keep the gas appliances, pipework and flues you are responsible for safe, and act promptly on any defect found.

• Keep gas safety recordsIn force since 6 April 2018

  Keep each gas safety record until two further checks have been made on that appliance or flue, and make it available to occupiers on request.

• Give existing tenants the gas safety record within 28 daysIn force since 3 October 1998

  After each annual gas check, give a copy of the record to every existing tenant within 28 days.

• Give new tenants the gas safety record before they move inIn force since 3 October 1998

  A new tenant must receive a copy of the latest gas safety record before they occupy the property.

• Give existing tenants the electrical report within 28 daysIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  After each electrical inspection, give a copy of the report to each existing tenant within 28 days.

• Give new tenants the electrical report before they move inIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  A new tenant must receive a copy of the most recent electrical report before occupying the property.

• Give prospective tenants the electrical report within 28 days of a written requestIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  If a prospective tenant asks in writing for the electrical report, you must supply it within 28 days.

• Give the council the electrical report within 7 days of a written requestIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  If the council asks in writing for the electrical report, you must send it within 7 days.

• Keep the electrical report and pass it to the next inspectorIn force since 1 November 2025Fine up to £40,000

  Keep each electrical report until the next inspection is due or done, and give a copy to the person doing the next inspection.

• Complete electrical remedial or investigative work within 28 daysIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  If the electrical report records C1 or C2 defects or FI (further investigation), have the work done by a qualified person within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if the report says so.

• Send written confirmation of electrical remedial work to tenants and the council within 28 daysIn force since 1 June 2020Fine up to £40,000

  After remedial or investigative work, get written confirmation from a qualified person and send it, with the original report, to the tenants and the council within 28 days of completion.

• Smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodationIn force since 1 October 2015Fine up to £5,000

  There must be a smoke alarm on each storey that has a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation, including bathrooms and toilets, throughout the tenancy.

• Carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion applianceIn force since 1 October 2022Fine up to £5,000

  Any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance (other than a gas cooker), such as a boiler, gas fire or wood burner, must have a carbon monoxide alarm.

• Check smoke and CO alarms work on the day a new tenancy beginsIn force since 1 October 2015Fine up to £5,000

  On the first day of each new tenancy, check that every required smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is in proper working order.

• Repair or replace faulty smoke or CO alarms after a tenant reportIn force since 1 October 2022Fine up to £5,000

  If a tenant reports that an alarm is not working, check it and repair or replace it as soon as reasonably practicable.

• Assess and control the risk from LegionellaIn force

  Landlords must assess the risk of tenants being exposed to Legionella from the hot and cold water system and put simple controls in place. A test certificate is not required.

• Furniture supplied in a furnished let must meet fire safety rulesIn force

  Upholstered furniture, beds, mattresses, pillows and cushions you provide in a let must meet the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, which is normally shown by a permanent label.

• HMO management dutiesIn force since 6 April 2006Fine up to £40,000

  Whoever manages an HMO must meet the HMO management regulations on contact details, fire safety, water, gas and electricity, common parts, living accommodation and waste, whether or not the HMO is licensed.

• HMO manager: send the gas safety certificate to the council within 7 days of a requestIn force since 6 April 2006Fine up to £40,000

  If the council asks in writing, the HMO manager must send the latest gas safety certificate within 7 days.

• Give tenants the gas safety record (cross-reference)In force

  Give existing tenants a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of each check, and new tenants the latest record before they move in.

• Give tenants the electrical safety report (cross-reference)In force

  Give existing tenants the EICR within 28 days of the inspection, new tenants before they move in, and prospective tenants within 28 days of a written request.