The Electrical Safety Roundtable has launched new guidance on how to find a Competent & Qualified Person for Landlord Electrical Safety Checks. The guidance, published on June 30, is a checklist that aims to support landlords in finding a competent and qualified person.

It is a legal requirement in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to have an electrical inspection and test of the electrical installation within a privately rented property undertaken by a suitably qualified and competent person at least once every five years.

For non-rented domestic properties, it is recommended that these are carried out every 10 years. This test is called a Periodic Inspection and Testing, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is produced.

When a Periodic Inspection and Testing is carried out with an EICR being issued depending on the outcome, there are two options: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.

With Satisfactory outcome observation(s) coded as C3, there would be no other requirements for any additional works until the recommended date for the next EICR.

In the case of an Unsatisfactory outcome, providing that all observation(s) coded, C1, C2 and FI, (or action points), are addressed and rectified with supporting certificates of either an Electrical Installation Certificate, (EIC), or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, (MEIWC), the electrical installation would be then considered as satisfactory and safe for continued use.

The Competent Person undertaking this EICR should be a skilled person registered with a Full Scope Electrical Competent Person Scheme or Registration Body, who monitors and regularly assesses the electrician/inspector to demonstrate their competency and ensure they hold Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance.

To ensure safety and compliance, landlords must use a competent and qualified person for electrical safety checks and to issue the EICR. The Electrical Safety Roundtable’s Electrical Safety in the Home Group has launched a new checklist to help landlords and homeowners find a competent and qualified person for electrical safety checks.

The checklist, titled How to Find a Competent & Qualified Person for Landlord Electrical Safety Checks, breaks down the necessary checks to be undertaken when selecting a competent person.

The checklist includes the certification, qualifications, insurance, and experience that demonstrate the electrical inspector and tester are a Competent Person to carry out electrical safety checks.

Nick Hayler, Chair of the Electrical Safety in the Home Group, said: “The Electrical Safety in the Home Group has created this checklist for landlords to highlight the necessary checks needed to find a qualified and competent person.

“This will give confidence to landlords, tenants and electricians that the work is being carried out correctly and safely by people with the necessary skills and experience.”

View the guidance here.