Since 2020, landlords in England have had a specific legal duty to have the electrical installation in their rented homes inspected and tested by a qualified person. The rules are set out in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, and equivalent duties now apply to social landlords. This guide explains what you must do and when.
Who the regulations apply to
The regulations apply to most private tenancies where the tenant occupies the property as their only or main home and pays rent, including assured shorthold tenancies, licences to occupy and HMOs. They have applied to new tenancies since 1 July 2020 and to all existing specified tenancies since 1 April 2021.
Some arrangements are excluded, including lodgers who share accommodation with the landlord or the landlord’s family, long leases of seven years or more, student halls of residence, hostels and refuges, care homes, and hospitals. If you are unsure, check the GOV.UK guidance.
Your duties at a glance
| Duty | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Have the installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person | At least every 5 years, or sooner if the last report says so |
| Give a copy of the report to each existing tenant | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| Give a copy to a new tenant | Before they occupy the property |
| Give a copy to a prospective tenant who asks | Within 28 days of their request |
| Give a copy to the local housing authority if asked | Within 7 days of the request |
| Complete remedial or further investigation work | Within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if the report says so |
| Give written confirmation that work is complete to the tenant and the local authority | Within 28 days of completion |
| Keep a copy of the report for the next inspector | Until the next inspection |
What counts as “qualified and competent”?
The regulations do not name a specific body, but the government guidance points landlords towards inspectors who are members of a competent person scheme or who can show equivalent qualifications, experience and insurance. Using an electrician registered with NICEIC or NAPIT is the simplest way to evidence this. Polarity Electrics London Ltd is NICEIC enrolled (No. 602034000).
Do I need a new EICR for every new tenancy?
No. If the existing report is still within its recommended inspection date, it covers the new tenancy. You just need to give the new tenant a copy before they move in. See how long an EICR is valid.
What about electrical appliances?
The private rented regulations cover the fixed installation, not portable appliances. Landlords must still make sure appliances they supply are safe, and a PAT test is the easiest way to evidence that. Social landlords in England must also check the electrical equipment they provide at least every five years.
Penalties and enforcement
Local housing authorities enforce the regulations. If they believe a landlord is in breach they can serve a remedial notice, arrange urgent remedial work themselves and recover the cost, and impose civil penalties. The maximum penalty under the 2020 regulations was £30,000 per breach, and the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 reforms raise the maximum to £40,000. Each missed duty, such as not inspecting and not supplying the report, can be penalised separately, and councils publish their own civil penalty policies setting out how they decide the amount.
Other safety duties landlords should not forget
- A smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), checked at the start of each tenancy
- An annual gas safety check where there are gas appliances
- A valid Energy Performance Certificate
- HMO licence conditions where they apply. See our HMO electrical safety checklist
Try the free landlord compliance checker for a quick screen of a property.