PART 5Housing, estate agents and rentcharges: other changes

Electrical safety standards

122Electrical safety standards for properties let by private landlords

1

The Secretary of State may by regulations impose duties on a private landlord of residential premises in England for the purposes of ensuring that electrical safety standards are met during any period when the premises are occupied under a tenancy.

2

“Electrical safety standards” means standards specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations in relation to—

a

the installations in the premises for the supply of electricity, or

b

electrical fixtures, fittings or appliances provided by the landlord.

3

The duties imposed on the landlord may include duties to ensure that a qualified person has checked that the electrical safety standards are met.

4

The regulations may make provision about—

a

how and when checks are carried out;

b

who is qualified to carry out checks.

5

The regulations may require the landlord—

a

to obtain a certificate from the qualified person confirming that electrical safety standards are met, and

b

to give a copy of a certificate to the tenant, or a prospective tenant, or any other person specified in the regulations.

6

In this section—

  • “premises” includes land, buildings, moveable structures, vehicles and vessels;

  • “private landlord” means a landlord who is not within section 80(1) of the Housing Act 1985 (the landlord condition for secure tenancies);

  • “residential premises” means premises all or part of which comprise a dwelling;

  • “tenancy” includes a licence to occupy (and “landlord” is to be read accordingly).