HomeYour rightsRegulationsElectrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020
Statutory instrument
Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 · In force from 1 June 2020
Requires every private landlord in England to have the electrical installations in their property inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, with a copy of the report (the EICR) given to the tenant.
Background
Until 2020, there was no statutory requirement for private landlords to have the wiring in a let property checked. Decades-old electrical installations were common in private rentals, with predictable safety consequences.
The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 closed that gap. They apply to all new private tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing ones from 1 April 2021.
What it requires
- Five-yearly inspection and test by a qualified electrician
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) given to the tenant within 28 days
- EICR also given to any new tenant at the start of the tenancy
- EICR provided to the council within 7 days if requested
- Any C1 (immediately dangerous), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation) findings remediated within 28 days
What it means for tenants
You should have a copy of the EICR for your home. If the landlord has not given you one, ask. If they refuse or cannot produce one, the council can take action and you may have a strong disrepair argument if there is an electrical fault.
Enforcement and penalties
Local authorities can issue remedial notices and impose fines up to £30,000 for breaches. Failure to comply with a remedial notice is itself an offence.
Official source
Related Help Centre guides
Electrical safety: your landlord's duties and the EICR
Your landlord must keep the electrics safe and have them checked at least every 5 years (an EICR). Here is what that means, the warning signs, and what to do if it is unsafe.
I keep getting little shocks from a socket or switch, what should I do?
Small electric shocks from a socket or switch are a serious warning sign. Stop using it, report it as an emergency. Here is what your landlord must do.
Has your landlord breached this?
Call us free or start a claim online. We tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.