The Renting Homes Wales Act 2016 - Electrical Safety Requirements
17/05/2022
Although fires in the home are reducing overall, the proportion of domestic fires caused by electricity is steadily increasing. Anything receiving constant use will deteriorate over time and an electrical installation is no different. The electrical installation within rented accommodation is likely to be subject to greater levels of deterioration because of the changes of occupancy. It should therefore be inspected and tested regularly to ensure it is safe for continued use. This test is known as ‘periodic inspection and testing’ (PIT).
PIT is carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe, the test will:
• reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment is overloaded
• find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards
• identify any defective electrical work
• highlight any lack of earthing or bonding
Periodic inspection and testing must be carried out only by a qualified person, such as a registered electrician. The electrician must be competent to carry out a PIT in accordance with the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).
Once the PIT has been completed you will be issued with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This report will inform you of any deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliance with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger. If no such issues are found the EICR will confirm the electrical installation is satisfactory for continued use.
A landlord is required to have the electrical installation of the dwelling tested every five years unless the requirements of the previous EICR indicate a shorter testing interval is required. Where a shorter interval is recommended the five year period will not apply and a future test must be undertaken at the recommended interval. Failure to do so will mean the dwelling is considered unfit for human habitation.
The current EICR must be made available to the contract-holder within seven days of the occupation date. Where a PIT is carried out after the occupation date the EICR must be provided to the contract-holder within seven days of the inspection date.
In addition, a landlord is also required to provide the contract-holder written confirmation of all investigatory and remedial work carried out on the electrical installation as a result of a PIT. This written confirmation must be provided to the contract-holder within seven days of the occupation date. Where investigatory and remedial work is carried out after the occupation date the written confirmation must be provided within seven days of the landlord receiving this confirmation.
How long do you have to comply?
The regulations on smoke alarms and electrical safety requirements apply to all new Occupation Contracts created on or after 15th July 2022. An existing tenancy agreement which has converted to an occupation contract will not be required to meet the smoke alarm and electrical safety requirements for a period of up to twelve months from the date of conversion. i.e. until 15th July 2023. This exemption will no longer apply should the converted contract end.
More information is available at https://gov.wales/fitness-homes-human-habitation-guidance-landlords-html but if you have any questions regarding what this means for you and how Smart Lettings can help you please don’t hesitate to contact us by email on lettings@smart-lettings.co.uk
Rents have also risen more in Wales than anywhere else in the UK in the last 12 months and if you’re looking for an up to date valuation of your rental property Smart Lettings - Request a Valuation (smart-lettings.co.uk) to request a valuation and we’ll arrange to meet you and discuss how we can help.
