From 1 November 2025, the electrical safety regulations will come into force for all landlords in accordance with, The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025. Quite a mouthful we're sure you will agree.
Whilst this is nothing new to private landlords who have been bound by the regulations since its introduction in 2020; it is a major change in the social housing sector.
All landlords will now be required to conduct inspections and testing of electrical installations in the home. Any necessary works should follow if flagged during the testing, and the process should be followed at least every five years.
The implementation period hasn't been a short one. Under the then Conservative government, a consultation exercise was held between 8 June 2022 and 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% responded 'Yes' to one of the leading 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?". This question was one of sixteen asked.
It therefore won't come as a huge surprise to social landlords of this impending change coming into force, with many either part of the original consultation and/or already implementing the necessary procedures to ensure compliance with the regulations.
In summary, all 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’); and
- complete any remedial works following an inspection, within 28 days.
Local housing authorities will be responsible for enforcement of the regulations and the maximum penalty for non-compliance will be £40,000. For local authorities who are social landlords themselves and therefore are unable to take enforcement action themselves will be required to meet the standards in the regulations and to take a proactive approach to ensuring their housing stock is safe.
It should be noted that these requirements relate to England only.
It is therefore imperative that social landlords are ready for the implementation by having appropriate procedures in place for inspections and record keeping, as well as robust policies in instances where access is denied. This includes a proactive approach to securing lawful access by necessary means such as injunctive relief.
