A stark warning has been issued to landlords and letting agents across England: check your electrical safety certificates – or face serious consequences.
Five years after sweeping legislation made Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) a legal requirement, tens of thousands of rental properties may now be operating with expired safety checks. Certification body NICEIC is calling time on inaction, urging property owners to urgently revisit their compliance records.
“Landlords have a legal and moral duty to ensure their properties are safe,” said Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC. “This isn’t just red tape – it’s about preventing fires, injuries, or worse. Five years ago, the industry adjusted to the law. Now, they must act again before it’s too late.”
Under laws introduced in June 2020, landlords must have electrical systems inspected and tested at least once every five years. With the deadline now hitting en masse, thousands of EICRs are due for renewal.
And the penalties for neglecting this vital safety measure are steep. Insurer Direct Line recently warned that one in three landlords could be at risk of non-compliance, with fines of up to £30,000 for breaches of electrical safety standards.
“A valid EICR offers peace of mind that your property not only meets safety standards but stays on the right side of the law,” Collins added.
After an EICR is completed, landlords must receive a written report from a qualified contractor, outlining the condition of the installation and specifying when the next test is due. Tenants must be provided a copy within 28 days – a step many landlords continue to overlook, despite it being a legal obligation.
With enforcement powers now in full swing and local authorities stepping up compliance checks, landlords who fail to act could face stiff penalties – and even put lives at risk.
The message from safety regulators is clear: check your paperwork, schedule inspections, and ensure every property is certified.