Housing conditions

Electrical checks

From 1 July 2020, private landlords must make sure that all electrical installations are inspected and tested by a registered electrician. The electrician will produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

For private tenancies starting on or after 1 June 2020, the first check must be done before the tenancy begins.

Private tenancies which started before 1 June 2020 will require this check to be completed before 1 April 2021.

Gas checks

If there are gas appliances in a property, a landlord by law must have a current Gas Safety Certificate and have it renewed each year on expiry by a Gas Safe registered gas engineer. The tenant must be given a copy before they move in. They also need to be given copies of any further certificates within 28 days of the inspection annually.

EPC certificates

Every property must have an up to date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which provides a rating of the property's energy efficiency rating. Furthermore, a copy should be given to the tenant at the earliest opportunity. An EPC is valid for 10 years. As of April 2018, properties with the poorest energy efficiency bands of F and G cannot be let.