New regulations in Northern Ireland require all private rented homes to meet electrical safety standards. The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 will come into force from April 1, 2025.

The new legislation will make electrical safety checks a legal requirement for landlords of properties let under private tenancies.

Landlords will be required to ensure that inspection and testing of every electrical installation in their rented residential properties is carried out by a qualified person at least once every five years.

These requirements will come into force for:

• New private tenancies granted on or after 1 April 2025.
• Existing tenancies granted before 1 April 2025, have until 1 December 2025 to comply or the date the first electrical inspection and testing is carried out.

All privately rented properties must have a certified electrical safety inspection of the hardwired electrical installation by whichever compliance date applies.

If the inspection identifies an electrical fault the landlord must take remedial corrective action to ensure the property is compliant with the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations.

Landlords must provide a copy of the most recent Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to:

• The existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.
• New tenants before they occupy the premises.
• Any prospective tenant within 28 days of request.
• The council within seven days of request for a copy.
• Keep a copy of the report to give to the inspector and tester who will undertake the next inspection and test.
• The existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection and test.

Tenants should:

• Check they have been provided with a copy of the latest EICR.
• Report any electrical problems, or potential problems, which occur in between the five-year inspection period to the landlord so that remedial action can be taken.
• Contact your local council if the landlord has not taken remedial action after you have reported a fault.
• Allow access to the property for the electrical safety inspection to be completed by the qualified person, and if necessary, allow further access for remedial work to be completed.

Nick Hayler, chair of the Electrical Safety Roundtable Home Group, said: “The introduction of these new regulations is a step forward towards safer homes in Northern Ireland and will benefit landlords and tenants. Landlords must ensure that the electrical installations are safe in their properties to protect their tenants from any dangers.

“It is essential that only qualified and experienced professionals carry out electrical inspections.”

To read the full guidance visit here

To read the Bill in full visit here