New electrical rules on property - don’t think agent has done it

[Ilikeviognier]

Hi all- panicking a bit here.

Got an email from letting agent last year about the new rules re testing electrical wires etc in rental property coming in, stating that they were going to be getting the certificates sorted over the course of 2020. Fine. It wasn’t a “please let us know” email. It was factual.

An article in today’s paper has prompted me in this, as the deadline has now passed.

I’ve just looked at my statements from them and I’m pretty sure I haven’t been charged for the certificate. Does this mean they’ve forgotten to do the work? They’ve also just installed a new tenant in the property and I thought it was a legal requirement to have the certificate in place.

A bit worried now- and the office is closed.

Am I going to get a 30k fine?!

You won’t get one over the bank holiday weekend, so relax until Tuesday and speak to the agents when they open again. As with all these things, enforcement is lax. You will also have a very good argument for suing the agents for the recovery of any fine, since they stated, in writing, that they were sorting it.

Yes that’s true re the fine! Thanks. Just stressing a bit that’s all!

Are they just letting agents or do you pay them as property management agents?

Chocolate is excellent for stress. Treat yourself and delay worrying until after the long weekend.

They manage the property completely- they are paid a monthly percentage of the rent to do this. Usually they are pretty on the ball with stuff- I recently had to pay almost £400 for some change to smoke detector rules.

Ok, if they are management agents they have made a huge error in putting a new tenant in there without the EICR. But they have done it, not you, so don't stress and get on to them next week.

I asked my agent about this and they said I already had one when the tenants moved in two years ago. I don't remember being charged separately for it but I don't look over each statement.
I'm not a member of any landlord group and didn't know this was a legal requirement until I read it on here! I've got an electrician booked this week for one flat but the other tenant is isolating so a bit trickier but I'll get it done. I'm not worried about a fine- I think only if there was an electrical fire you may be done for.

The legislation that says they are essential (like the gas safety check) only came in last year I believe.

Thankyou everyone. I’ll speak to them Tuesday. I hope it’s not as I fear! Can I get them to sort it now with no serious implications?

Hopefully! the deadline for all tenancies was April 1 so get a shift on. (and this is why using agents does not mean you can just forget about things, the responsibility is on you). All new tenancies should have had the EICR from June last year. They need to meet 18th edition wiring regs. Link below explains, sort of.

The councils will sense easy money from landlords on this, so get moving on Tuesday.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

BTW housing association properties are exempt. So Croydon council won't get fined for having water dripping through light fittings.

The deadline was 1st April so if it's been done in the last couple of weeks it could be that the electrician hasn't sent his invoice in yet and so it will show on your next month's statement.