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Landlords Legislation Change Provides Trade Boost For Electricians
August 24th, 2020
Last updated: August 5th, 2022
A change to the health and safety responsibilities of landlords has led to a noticeable increase in workload for electricians across England in the last two months. And there is every indication that this surge in work won’t reduce.
June 1st 2020 saw the enforcement of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, which requires landlords to ensure that rented properties comply with the requirements of the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. Meeting this standard requires landlords to have a competent electrician carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), along with providing associated documentation proving the wiring meets the current standards.
Enforcing Compliance Through an EICR
Prior to this new legislation, carrying out an EICR on a rented property was only voluntary, now the enforcement of ensuring the compliance of electrical installations has led to landlords seeking out electricians en masse. Several trade electricians have reported a surge in EICR requests as deadlines put in place by the Government draw ever nearer.
Tenancies entered into on or after June 1st need to be covered by an EICR before the property can be occupied, although landlords had some breathing space in that they had until July 1st before the EICR physically had to be completed. Furthermore, pre-existing tenancies won’t require an EICR until April 1st 2021.
An EICR is valid for five years, so landlords who had voluntarily carried one out prior to this legislation being enforced, don’t need to do anything right now. The surge in demand being felt now by electricians should therefore be felt again in five years’ time, when these EICR’s come up for renewal. However, there is also the considerable amount of remedial work required following an EICR inspection, which is also being absorbed by the industry right now. Upgrading old wiring to comply with the 18th Edition Regulations is now providing plenty of work for electricians across the country.
Our Electrical Experience and Expertise
It is therefore expected that the surge in work for electricians won’t be temporary, as the need for landlords to obtain certificates will be ongoing, and the need to undertake remedial work from failed inspections will doubtless continue. Landlords now have 28 days to react to the findings of a failed inspection.
Robinsons Facilities Services have a team of experienced and qualified electricians proficient in the requirements of the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, and we can carry out EICR inspections, complete the necessary documentation and deal with remedial work as required. We are experienced in working in the landlord and letting agent sector and can combine this work with other landlord responsibilities relating to gas appliances and installations and fire safety.
Call us today and we can explain the comprehensive range of a landlord’s responsibilities and work with you to ensure you are fully compliant.
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