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Electrical safety now legal requirement in Northern Ireland's PRS

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Landlords in Northern Ireland must now guarantee that regular electrical safety checks have been carried out at private tenancies.

The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) took effect from 1st April after they were introduced by the Northern Ireland Assembly in response to a 2023 public consultation. These took effect for new private tenancies from 1st April and from 1st December for existing tenancies.

Ensure

They require landlords to ensure the 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, producing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). They will also need to keep a copy of this report until the next inspection and test is due, provide a copy of the report to the tenant within 28 days of receipt and, if requested, to the council within seven days.

Further

If the report shows that further investigative or remedial work is necessary, landlords must complete this work within 28 days. Tenants should contact their local council if their landlord doesn’t take remedial action after they have reported a fault. Councils will be able to issue notices to landlords if they suspect their property doesn’t have a legitimate inspection report.  

Managing director at trade membership scheme NAPIT, Frank Bertie, says: “This legislation is vital for ensuring that tenants in the private rented sector are safe in their homes. NAPIT will continue to promote and support electrical safety in Northern Ireland.”

To read the full guidance, visit here

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Northern ireland
Electrical safety

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