Landlords: why you can’t afford to ignore EICR changes
If you are a landlord with properties to rent in London, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that yet another piece of letting legislation has just come into force. It’s one of eight different legislative changes affecting rental properties that are due to be implemented this year.
The regulation requires landlords to ask a qualified electrician to carry out a safety check on electrical installations in their rental properties every five years, or more often if the electrician deems it necessary. The report must cover wiring, sockets, fuse boxes and all other fixed electrical parts. The new rules, which became effective on 1 June 2020, are being gradually phased in. They have applied to new tenancies since 1st July 2020 and will apply to existing leases (with agreements signed before 1st July 2020) from 1st April next year.
Why is this important?
Electrical standards have changed a great deal in the last ten years. And this could mean that even if you have commissioned an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for your property in recent years, it may not comply with the latest standard (the 18th edition). In the past, a minor, but not hazardous, non-compliance could simply result in a recommendation to make improvements. Still, the latest legislation indicates properties must meet all the requirements of the 18th edition.
According to the latest legislation, if your most recent report was based on an older edition of the safety standard, you can’t be completely satisfied that your property is compliant. In cases where local authorities have concerns, they can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
Who can help?
If you have a London property that you rent out, help is at hand. As leading independent estate agents in London, we operate a highly-rated property management service, with qualified and experienced tradespeople standing by to carry out everything from electrical safety checks to routine property maintenance.
At Daniel Cobb, we promise to treat your rental property as if it were our own, and we will send in a highly qualified electrician to carry out your EICR report. Going forward, we’ll ensure that safety checks are carried out in a timely way, so they never become overdue.
We can also help you let your central London property or provide advice if you are looking for another property to buy. We offer a wide choice of excellent investment properties, including high-quality new homes in London, so why not call us today?
