<p>On 13 January 2020, the Government laid before Parliament new regulations that will require private landlords to make sure the electrical installations in their properties are safe.</p><p>The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require that:</p><ul><li>Electrical installations must be inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years;</li><li>Electrical safety standards must be met;</li><li>Reports (known as ‘Electrical Installation Condition Reports or ‘EICRs’) must be provided to tenants, and to local authorities on request.</li></ul><p>The Regulations also set out enforcement powers for local authorities who will be able to tackle those rogue landlords who breach their new duties under the Regulations.</p><p>Subject to approval by parliament, these requirements will come into force for all new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and for all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.</p>