2021 PRS electrical safety standards
Click the photo above to view a two-minute video from ECA.
Regulations which set out requirements for landlords to ensure all fixed electrical installations in their properties are maintained correctly came into effect on 1 April 2021.
The regulations, which applied to new tenancies from July 2020, extend to existing tenancies as of 1 April 2021. If a landlord is found to not have complied with the law - and no attempt to has been made to complete necessary remedial work that was identified - they could face a fine of up to £30,000.
ECA, in partnership with Electrical Safety First, Elecsa and NICEIC, have produced a short video guide for landlords to ensure they are compliant with the new legislation. Electrical Safety First has produced a FAQ resource for checks in privately rented homes, which can be accessed here.
This article originally appeared on the ECA website under the headline, 'New PRS electrical safety standards begin today'. It was published on 1 April 2021.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Approved Document P - Electrical safety – Dwellings.
- Articles about electricity.
- Articles by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA).
- Electrical safety.
- Electrical safety in the private rented sector.
- Property disrepair and landlord liabilities.
[edit] External resources
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