New
guidance from the Electrical Safety Roundtable helps landlords understand the new
mandatory electrical safety requirements in Wales.
The
Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) in the Home group has collaborated to create
a useful guidance document to assist landlords in understanding The Renting
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022.
The
new Welsh Regulations, which are set to take effect for all new tenancies from December
1, 2022, and all existing tenancies from December 1, 2023, introduce three new
legal requirements on landlords of both social and private rented residential
properties. These are:
- To ensure the presence of smoke alarms in proper
working order
- To ensure the presence of carbon monoxide alarms in
proper working order
- To ensure the periodic inspection and testing of
electrical installations
The
Guidance, available to read in English and Welsh, details the requirements of
the Regulations and provides answers to frequently asked questions compiled from
the experiences of English landlords following the introduction of the
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations
2020.
Theresa Wallace, Chair of The Lettings
Industry Council commented: ‘As committed participants of the Electrical
Safety Roundtable we are very pleased that the group have published easily
accessible, free guidance for landlords with properties in Wales to assist with
their understanding and compliance with The Fitness for Human Habitation (Wales)
Regulations 2022. There is always a period of adjustment and familiarisation
when new Regulations are introduced, and guidance of this kind is an example of
the proactive and supportive role the Roundtable plays in enhancing electrical
safety standards across the UK.’
The
FAQs cover topics such as understanding an Electrical Installation Condition Report,
how to ensure the electrical contractor used is qualified and competent in
relation to inspection testing and remedial work and what written confirmation
is needed to demonstrate remedial work has been completed.
To read the
guidance in English click here.
To read the guidance in Welsh click here.
For further information on The
Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 click here.
For more information on the work of
the Electrical Safety Roundtable click here
Interested in participating in the
Roundtable? Contact us at: info@electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk