On 25 June 2025, the Government confirmed that new electrical safety requirements will come into force in November that requires all landlords to conduct inspections and testing of electrical installations in the home.
Any necessary works should follow if flagged during the testing. The testing is required at least every five years. The announcement can be found here.
Whilst this requirement is nothing new to private landlords who have been bound by the regulations since its introduction in 2020; it is the first step to change for social landlords.
Under the previous government, a consultation exercise was held between 8 June 2022 to 31 August 2022, inviting views on proposals to introduce mandatory checks for electrical installations, and in doing so, bringing parity with the private rented sector. The consultation received 119 responses from individuals and organisations including social housing tenants, social housing landlords, leaseholders, electrical safety industry professionals and specialists group.
Of the 119 responses, an overwhelming 97% (114) responded 'Yes' to the questions "Do you agree that mandatory inspection and testing at least every five years of electrical installations should be a legal requirement in the social rented sector?". It should be noted that this question was just one of sixteen asked.
Recognising the strong support for mandatory checks for social housing, the government intends to introduce the checks from November.
In summary, social landlords, like private landlords, will be required to:
- inspect and test electrical installations in their homes at least every five years
- issue a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition report (EICR) to social tenants within 28 days of an inspection, or to any new tenant before they occupy the property
- undertake in-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment provided as part of a tenancy (sometimes known as ‘PAT testing’)
- complete any remedial works following an inspection, within 28 days.
These requirements will relate to England only.
The government has said that it is determined to drive up safety standards in the social housing sector following tragedies such as the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, to reduce the risk insofar as possible. Landlords should ensure that they are ready for the implementation of the new Regulations by having procedures in place for inspections and robust policies in order to deal with tenants who fail to allow access.
