Landlord Electrical Safety Checks: A Plain Guide for Landlords and Tenants

If you rent out a home in England, or you rent one yourself, the electrics have to be checked by a qualified person at least every five years. The Electrical Safety Standards regulations first covered private landlords and, following a 2025 update, now take in social housing too. This guide sets out who does what, which paperwork tenants should get, and what to do safely if something electrical goes wrong in a rented home.

What the rules ask of landlords

1. Book a check at least every five years. A qualified, competent electrician inspects and tests the fixed wiring, sockets, light fittings and consumer unit. The result is written up as an Electrical Installation Condition Report. If the report says the next check is due sooner than five years, follow that date instead.
2. Share the report. Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to a new tenant before they move in. A prospective tenant who asks for one should get it within 28 days, and the local council can ask for a copy too.
3. Put right anything urgent. Where the report lists work that’s needed, or says something must be investigated further, get it done within 28 days, or sooner if the report gives a shorter deadline.
4. Confirm the work is finished. Once remedial work is done, get written confirmation from the electrician and pass it to your tenants and the council within 28 days.
5. Keep the paperwork. Hold on to the report and give a copy to whoever carries out the next check.
6. Look after appliances you supply. Electrical equipment you provide, such as a cooker or washing machine, should be safe. Social landlords who supply appliances must have them tested as well.

Gas has separate rules: landlords need an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. An electrical report doesn’t cover the boiler or any gas appliance.

What tenants can expect, and what to ask for

• A copy of the latest electrical report, either before you moved in or within 28 days of a new check.
• Reasonable notice before an electrician visits to carry out the inspection or repairs.
• Faults with wiring, sockets, switches, lights and the consumer unit fixed by your landlord. Citizens Advice explains which repairs are normally the landlord’s job.

If you’ve never been given a report, ask your landlord or letting agent for it in writing. Keep a note of the date you asked.

Spotted a problem as a tenant? Do this

1. Stop using it. If a socket, switch or plug is scorched, crackling, buzzing or hot, switch it off at the wall if you can do so safely and unplug what’s connected.
2. Don’t try to repair fixed wiring yourself. No unscrewing faceplates, changing sockets or opening the consumer unit. That’s for a registered electrician arranged by your landlord.
3. A trip is allowed one reset. If the RCD or a breaker trips, you may switch it back on once, with dry hands and standing on a dry floor. If it trips again, leave it off. Our RCD or trip switch guide explains more.
4. Report it in writing. Message or email your landlord or agent with what happened, when, and a photo if it’s safe to take one. Say clearly if it’s urgent, such as a burning smell or no power at all.
5. Burning smell or smoke? Get everyone out and call 999. Our burning smell or hot socket guide covers the less serious warning signs.

Keep water and electrics apart

A leak through a ceiling light or into a socket is an emergency. Don’t touch anything that’s wet. Turn off the water at the inside stopcock first; it’s often under the kitchen sink, in a cupboard or under the stairs, and our guide shows how to find and turn off your stopcock. Only switch the power off at the consumer unit if you can reach it from a dry spot. The outside or boundary stop tap usually belongs to the water company (Anglian Water or Essex & Suffolk Water) and may need a special key, so don’t dig it up or force it. If you think the leak is on their side, see whether neighbours are affected and contact the water company. Following these steps keeps you within the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. For an urgent leak, see our emergency plumbing service.

Gas and carbon monoxide in a rented home

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, only a Gas Safe registered engineer may work on gas pipework or appliances. Tenants and landlords should limit boiler checks to what the user manual allows: the power, timer and thermostat, the reset button, topping up pressure with the filling loop as the manual describes, and thawing a frozen outside condensate pipe with warm (not boiling) water. Never take the casing off or touch the gas valve, burner or flue. If the boiler keeps locking out or losing pressure, a Gas Safe engineer needs to look at it. You can check an engineer’s registration on the Gas Safe Register.

If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, leave the property, open doors and windows if it’s safe to, don’t use light switches or naked flames, turn the gas off at the meter only if it’s safe, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Seek medical advice if anyone has headaches, dizziness, nausea or breathlessness. Our carbon monoxide warning signs guide explains what to watch for.

When to stop and call us

• You’re a landlord and the five-yearly check is due, overdue, or you can’t find the last report.
• Your report lists C1, C2 or FI items that need putting right within the deadline.
• A tenant has reported scorch marks, buzzing, hot sockets or repeated trips.
• The RCD or a breaker trips again after one reset.
• Water has got into lights, sockets or the consumer unit.

We carry out electrical safety inspections (EICR) for landlords and home owners, plus any follow-on repairs through our domestic electrical services. Our EICR guide explains what the codes on a report mean.

Sources

• GOV.UK: electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors
• Citizens Advice: check if your landlord has to do repairs
• Electrical Safety First: home electrical safety advice
• Gas Safe Register

This is general safety guidance. If you’re unsure, stop and call a qualified engineer.