Mandatory electrical safety checks required under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

The Private Tenancies Bill (put forward by the Department for Communities in July 2021), received Royal Assent on 27th April 2022, creating the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (“the Act”).  The act introduces a number of important reforms (including electrical safety checks) for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) which has grown considerably in recent years.  At present, it does not explicitly state that the electrical safety checks are completed on a five-yearly basis, like other parts of the UK.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (‘the Regulations’) came into force on 1st July 2020.  The regulations require landlords in England to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every five years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants and to their local authority, if requested.  Landlords who fail to comply with the Regulations are liable to face fines of up to £30,000.

Similar regulations for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) exist in Scotland, with the Welsh government introducing electrical safety Regulations under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, which are due to come into force on the 15th of July 2022.

Although the Act, effective from 5 May 2022, brings with it many potential adjustments to the PRS in Northern Ireland, the only immediate changes are the variations to the notice periods that landlords or tenants must give to end the tenancy.

Other aspects of the Act, including electrical safety standards will be introduced after the Department for Communities has engaged and consulted with relevant stakeholders and had the opportunity to prepare the required prescribed documents.