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What is Electrical Safety Standards Regulations?
Last verified 23 October 2026
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require private landlords in England to have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a competent person. The result is a report, usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Why it matters to landlords
The landlord must give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, to a prospective tenant within 28 days of a request, and to the council within 7 days of a request. If the report says remedial work or further investigation is needed, it must be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. The landlord then sends the tenant and the council written confirmation within 28 days of the work being finished.
The rules cover wiring, sockets, light fittings, consumer units and permanently connected items such as showers and extractor fans, but not communal areas. If a council believes there is a breach, it must serve a remedial notice, can arrange the work itself and recover the cost, and can impose a financial penalty. Scotland has its own five yearly electrical check under the repairing standard.
Example
An EICR dated 10 March 2026 says one circuit needs remedial work. The landlord has the electrician fix it by 7 April, then sends the tenant and the council the electrician's written confirmation within 28 days of the repair.
EICR requirements for landlords →
Related terms
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
- PAT testing
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms