Guidance

Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance

Guidance setting out how electrical safety standards regulations for the private and social rented sectors affect landlords, tenants and local authorities.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 were updated in 2025 to include the social rented sector: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025.

The regulations require that landlords have the electrics in their rented properties checked at least every five years by a properly qualified person. Social landlords who provide electrical equipment must also have this tested. Landlords must give their tenants proof of that they have had installations and equipment inspected, tested and checked.

This guide is for landlords, tenants and local councils.

Updates to this page

Published 1 November 2025

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