A landlord in Coventry has become the first in England to be fined under the recently introduced Electrical Safety Standards legislation. The unnamed landlord has been fined £1,600 after failing to provide proof that he had completed mandatory electrical safety checks at the property of his in the City Centre.
Since 1st July 2021, all residential landlords in England must ensure that the electrical installations in the property are safe and are inspected and tested at least every 5 years. The inspection must be carried out by a competent person and an Electrical Safety Certificate issued, whereby a copy must be made available to the appropriate authorities if required and a copy given to the tenant and letting agent managing the property within 28 days of being completed. Should the local authorities request a copy of the report it must be provided within 7 days. Wales is due to follow suit in July 2022.
Coventry City Council has chosen not to name and shame the landlord by sparing his name, but nevertheless has fined him £1,600 with 7 days to provide the appropriate certificate within the stautory time limit, whihc he subsequently failed to do so. The Council will now also be serving a remedial notice requiring further action to be taken. The EICR report should have been completed on or around the 1st April 2020 by a competent and from a qualified electrician to show that the electrical installation in the property was safe and a copy provided to the tenant.
Adrian Chowns, Property Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager for Coventry City Council says: "We believe this is the first time these powers have been used by a Local Authority in England. It highlights how we are taking a proactive approach to enforcement and clamping down on rogue landlords in its city.
At Property Hub Ltd, we have a number of qualified suppliers, whom we vet through a stringent process, who we work closely with to ensure maintenance and compliance of a property is left hassle free for landlords. Why not take the stress and let us handle any works or arrange for compliant documentations to be done for you? No landlord wants to find themsleves liable. Please call our team for an informal chat about any maintenance and / or compliance works that need carrying out at your property dwelling, on 0208 903 1002.
