The Government has now passed detailed regulations by enforcing electrical safety checks in the private rented sector as of June 2020.
The Regulations came into force on 1 June 2020 and apply in England to all new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. This means that tenancies signed on or after 1 June 2020, which start on or after 1 July 2020 should have an EICR.
Your landlord or their agent must ensure the electrical wiring within your home is safe.
A competent person or contractor must carry out regular visual safety checks of the electrics and appliances such as cookers, washing machines and fridges. Electrical appliances that have been checked by an electrician should have a PAT (portable appliance test) sticker on the plug. This shows the date it was tested.
Electric faults will be recognised as C1, C2 and C3 on an electric safe certificate or EICR. Depending on these ‘Category’ faults, the Contractor will provide a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory Certificate. Your landlord or agent must ensure that these Category faults are repaired immediately, and a remedial certificate provided upon completion.
If your landlord or agent has not acted or addressed the repairs, then contact ept@rugby.gov.uk or call 01788 533 533.
For more details, please see information links below:
Injuries caused by faulty electrics
Every year in UK homes injuries are caused by faulty electrics and electrical equipment. If you live in a privately rented property, statistics show that you are at a higher risk of electric shock and almost half of all domestic fires are caused by electricity. Your landlord must fit your property with a fire alarm.
For more details, please see information link on Electrical Safety First
Gas safety
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 is to ensure that gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.
Landlords are responsible for the maintenance and repair of flues, appliances and pipework provided for tenant’s use, all carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
See Information links below
If you smell gas, or you have a gas leak, or are concerned fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, call the free Gas Emergency Services 0800 111 999 |
Your landlord has obligations regarding gas safety in your home:
- They must give you an up-to-date copy of the Gas Safety certificate before you move in.
- They must arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- They must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed.
- They must arrange maintenance by a Gas Safe registered engineer for all pipe work, appliances, and flues, which they own and have provided for your use.
Gas and Electricity Energy Supply
Under consumer protection law, if you are a renting a property and are directly responsible for paying the gas and/or electricity bills, you have the right to choose your own energy supplier. Your landlord or letting agent should not unreasonably prevent this.
Can my landlord choose my gas or electricity supplier?
Your landlord has the right to choose your energy supplier only when they are directly responsible for paying for the gas or electricity.
This might include situations where your landlord:
- pays the energy supplier directly and reclaims the money from you as the tenant.
- incorporates the cost of energy within the accommodation charges.
- assumes responsibility for the supply between tenancies.
Your tenancy agreement should detail if you or your landlord are responsible for paying for the gas or electricity.
Tenant tips on switching on Energy Suppliers
Check:
- for any clauses on energy suppliers in your tenancy agreement. There may be some circumstances when a letting agent or landlord has a preferred supplier which is set as the default supplier as part of the tenancy agreement. This is known as a 'default supplier clause'.
- If you notice a default supplier clause before you sign a tenancy agreement, talk with your landlord or letting agent to see if you can renegotiate this clause. If following this you cannot change the clause, you are still entitled to switch supplier if you are responsible for paying the energy bills.
- your landlord or letting agent notifies you of any tie-ins with specific suppliers. They must do this if it applies and they should give you details at the outset of applicable tariffs and charging details.
- if you are required by a clause in the contract to tell the landlord or letting agent if you switch supplier.
- if you are required by a clause in the contract to return the account to the original supplier, or the original meters if you have them changed, at the end of the tenancy your meter readings.
- Take a reading when you move in and move out and get these to the supplier if you are responsible for paying the energy bills, or your landlord if they are. Further information is available at: www.ofgem.gov.uk/switch
For further information please see the Health and Safety Executive’s website
HSE runs a free Gas Safety Advice Line offering information on gas safety that is open between 9.00am and 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Friday (excluding bank holidays). To contact the Gas Safety Advice Line freephone 0800 300 363.