NAPIT Welcomes New Northern Ireland Legislation on Electrical Safety Checks
NAPIT welcomes the introduction of new legislation in Northern Ireland making electrical safety checks a legal requirement for landlords of properties let under private tenancies.
The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 will come into force from April 1, 2025.
The new regulations mean that landlords must 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, resulting in the issuing of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Landlords must obtain a report from the qualified person conducting the inspection and test which gives the results and sets the date of the next inspection and test. Landlords must provide a copy of the EICR to their tenants, and, if requested, provide a copy to the council.
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.
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. This work should be completed within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report.
Landlords of private tenancies must:
- Ensure a rental property has its electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified electrician every five years.
- Obtain a report from the qualified electrician confirming whether the property has met the industry standard and passed, or if the report identifies a fault, take remedial action within the required timescale.
- Retain a copy of the 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.
Tenants should check they have been provided with a copy of the latest electrical safety inspection report. They should report any electrical problems, or potential problems to the landlord in the period between inspections so that remedial action can be taken.
Tenants should contact their local council if the landlord does not take remedial action after they have reported a fault.
Managing Director at NAPIT, Frank Bertie said: “The new legislation will protect tenants and ensure that the private rented sector in Northern Ireland meet electrical safety standards. The requirement to use a qualified electrician to carry out periodic inspection and testing is key to enhancing safety, and we support the Department for Communities recommendation to use a registered electrician.
“It is a step forward for electrical safety standards in the UK as Northern Ireland joins England, Scotland and Wales in the requirements for regular electrical inspections to ensure the safety of private rented tenants.”
To read the full guidance visit
here
To read the Bill in full visit here
Article Published:
01 April 2025