Buy to let investors renting properties out will soon face new electrical safety rules on all properties they rent out in the private rental sector, following a government announcement.
Minister for housing and homelessness Heather Wheeler MP announced this week that mandatory electrical safety inspections will have to be carried out by ‘competent and qualified’ inspectors, with landlords facing tough financial penalties if they don’t comply with the new electrical safety rules.
Government ministers are due to publish new guidance which sets out the minimum level of competence and qualifications necessary for those carrying out the electrical safety inspections to ensure let private rental properties are safe from any electrical faults.
The minister said that the new guidance will provide clear accountability at each stage of the electrical safety inspection process, making it clear what is required and whose responsibility it is to put it in to place, but without placing excessive cost and time burdens on private sector landlords.
She said: ‘Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home. While measures are already in place to crack down on the small minority of landlords who rent out unsafe properties, we need to do more to protect tenants.
‘These new measures will reduce the risk of faulty electrical equipment, giving people peace of mind and helping to keep them safe in their homes.
‘It will also provide clear guidance to landlords on who they should be hiring to carry out these important electrical safety checks.’
The new electrical safety rules are part of the government’s continuing efforts to drive up standards in the private rented sector. Gas safety checks have long been in place in the private buy to let sector, and carbon monoxide alarms are required by law wherever there are solid fuel appliances.
Source: Residential Landlord