New legislation now requires social housing landlords in England to conduct mandatory electrical safety checks on their properties every five years. Failure to comply with these rules could result in fines of up to £40,000, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving safety standards in the social rented sector.

Mandatory Electrical Safety Checks for Social Housing

Under the new regulations, social housing landlords must ensure that all electrical installations and any electrical equipment they supply are inspected and tested at least once every five years. This requirement aligns the social housing sector with the private rented sector, where similar rules have applied since June 2020.

Landlords are also obliged to provide tenants with a detailed record of any electrical equipment supplied, including its condition, suitability for use, and the results of the safety checks. Following an inspection, landlords receive a report outlining the condition of the electrical installation. If any dangerous faults are identified, these must be remedied within 28 days.

Improving Safety for Millions of Renters

Steven Devine, electrical installation safety manager at Electrical Safety First, highlighted the importance of the new laws, noting that over half of accidental domestic fires in England are caused by electricity. He said: “These new laws mark an important step in making sure all social rented homes in England are electrically safe.”

Devine also expressed hope that Northern Ireland would extend similar regulations to social renters, ensuring consistent protection across the United Kingdom. He emphasised that while many responsible social housing landlords already prioritise electrical safety, the legislation formalises the frequency of checks to enhance tenant protection.

He urged landlords to comply with the new requirements, warning that failure to provide evidence of a satisfactory inspection to local authorities could lead to financial penalties. “Everyone deserves to live in a safe home, and we know these measures will help support that for millions of renters,” he added.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The government has made clear that social housing landlords who fail to complete the required five-year electrical safety checks risk fines of up to £40,000. This significant penalty underscores the seriousness of the regulations and the importance of maintaining electrical safety standards in social housing.

New Powers for Handling Complaints

In a related development, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has been granted new powers to investigate complaints from non-tenants regarding how councils manage social housing. These changes, introduced last week under the Renters’ Rights Act, allow individuals who are not tenants to raise concerns with the LGSCO after exhausting the council’s complaints process.

Previously, neither the LGSCO nor the Housing Ombudsman could consider such complaints. Amerdeep Clarke, the local government and social care ombudsman, described the change as “significant and long-overdue.” She explained that this amendment closes a gap in accountability and provides independent scrutiny and redress for the public.

Clarke encouraged local authority complaint managers to familiarise themselves with the new arrangements and the signposting tool developed to support the process.

What this means for landlords

Social housing landlords must now prioritise electrical safety compliance to avoid substantial fines and ensure tenant wellbeing. The requirement to provide detailed records and timely repairs following inspections adds a layer of accountability and transparency that landlords should integrate into their property management routines.

Additionally, the expanded complaint powers mean that landlords and councils may face increased scrutiny from a broader range of stakeholders, emphasising the need for robust management and communication practices within social housing provision.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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