Quick answer
Yes. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, a local council can impose a civil penalty of up to £30,000 on a landlord who breaches their duties. The council can also arrange the remedial work itself and recover the cost from you.
What counts as a breach?
- not having the installation inspected and tested at least every five years, or by the date given on the last report
- using someone who isn't qualified and competent to carry out the inspection
- not giving a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days, or to new tenants before they move in
- not giving a copy to the council within 7 days of a written request
- not completing remedial work or further investigation within 28 days, or the shorter period on the report
- not giving written confirmation of the remedial work to the tenant and the council within 28 days of completing it
How councils enforce it
If a council believes a landlord is in breach, it must serve a remedial notice requiring the work to be done within 28 days. If the landlord doesn't comply, the council can do the work itself, with the tenant's consent, recover the cost, and impose a financial penalty. Landlords can make representations and appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Fines can be issued per breach, so several failures on one property can add up.
Licensing makes it more likely to come up
In areas with selective or HMO licensing, such as much of Nottingham, councils check electrical safety paperwork as part of the licence. A missing or out-of-date EICR is one of the easiest breaches for them to find.
How to stay compliant
- Book an EICR at least every five years, sooner if the report says so. See landlord EICR.
- Forward the report to the tenant the day you receive it.
- Get any C1, C2 or FI items fixed within 28 days. We quote a fixed price for the remedial work with the report.
- Send the written confirmation to the tenant once the work is done.
- Keep copies of everything, including when and how you sent them.