A Landlord's Plain English Guide to Electrical Safety Certificate Legal Requirements (2025/2026)

Are You Legally Compliant? A Landlord's Plain English Guide to Electrical Safety Certificate Requirements

For landlords in England, "electrical safety" isn't just good practice—it's the law.

The rules are strict, the penalties are severe (up to £30,000), and "I didn't know" is not a valid defence.

As qualified electricians serving landlords across North, West, and East London, we see the confusion these regulations cause. This guide translates the complex legal jargon into a simple, actionable checklist.

Here is everything you are legally required to do.

The Law: What You Must Know

The key piece of legislation you must follow is "The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020."

This law applies to almost all private tenancies in England, including Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs).

In short, the law states you must ensure that the electrical installations in your rental property are safe for your tenants. You prove this by having a formal inspection.

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Your 4-Step Legal Checklist

If you're a landlord, you have four clear legal duties.

1. Get an EICR (Your "Safety Certificate")

You must have the property's "fixed electrical installation" (the wiring, sockets, light fittings, and fuse board) inspected and tested by a "qualified and competent person."

• What is the certificate called? An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This is the official document that proves you are compliant.

• Who is "qualified and competent?" This should be a registered electrician (e.g., City&Guilds certified, NICEIC or NAPIT registered) who has experience in inspection and testing.

2. Get a "Satisfactory" Report (Every 5 Years)

The law requires you to have this inspection at regular intervals.

• How often? At least every 5 years.

• When else? Before a new tenancy begins. If your EICR is 4 years old, you should get a new one before the new tenants move in.

• What's the goal? To receive a "Satisfactory" EICR report. If the report is "Unsatisfactory," you must move to step 4.

3. Serve the EICR Report to Your Tenants

You are legally required to provide copies of this report.

• Existing Tenants: You must give them a copy of the new EICR within 28 days of the inspection.

• New Tenants: You must provide them with a copy of the valid EICR before they move in.

• Local Authority: If your local council (e.g., Hackney, Islington, or Barnet) asks for a copy, you must provide it to them within 7 days.

4. Act Fast on "Unsatisfactory" Reports

If your EICR comes back as "Unsatisfactory" (it has C1 or C2 faults), the clock starts ticking.

• What it means: The report has found faults that are either "Danger Present" (C1) or "Potentially Dangerous" (C2).

• Your legal duty: You must have a qualified person carry out the recommended remedial work within 28 days (or a shorter period if specified in the report).

• Get proof: After the repairs are done, you must get written confirmation (like a Minor Works Certificate) from the electrician. You must then provide this proof, along with the original EICR, to your tenants.

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The Penalties: What Happens if I Don't Comply?

This is why you cannot ignore the law. Local authorities have the power to enforce these rules and can be very strict.

If you breach these regulations, the local authority can impose a fine of up to £30,000.

They can also serve you with a remedial notice, forcing you to carry out the work. If you fail to do so, the authority can arrange the work themselves and then bill you for the costs.

What's Next? New Laws Coming (Awaab's Law)

The legal landscape is always evolving. The new "Awaab's Law," which is currently being rolled out for social housing, is set to be extended to the private rented sector.

Phase 2 of this law will introduce strict new time limits for fixing hazards, including electrical issues. This makes it even more critical to have a valid EICR and a reliable electrician you can call on to fix problems quickly.

Your Compliance Partner in London

We know this is a lot to manage, especially on top of everything else. At Energy North, we make compliance simple.

We are City&Guilds certified and specialists in landlord EICR reports. We provide:

• Fast, reliable EICR inspections across North, West, and East London.

• Clear, jargon-free reports that you can actually understand.

• Honest, transparent quotes for any remedial work needed to get you to "Satisfactory."

• A "one-stop service" to inspect, repair, and certify your property, making you fully compliant.

Don't risk a £30,000 fine. Get peace of mind and ensure your tenants are safe.