Electrical safety changes in the social and private rented sectors.

What the rules are now

The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 were extended to the social rented sector in 2025. The Minister told the committee that all landlords must now check the electrical installations in their properties at least every five years.

What the draft changes

These changes come from the draft instrument and from what the Minister said.

• The standard. The draft replaces the reference to BS 7671:2018 with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. The explanatory note says this reflects an update to the British Standard, also known as the IET Wiring Regulations.
• Further investigative work. The draft removes the references to “further investigative” work. The Minister said these references are no longer relevant because of the change to the standard. The draft says the removal does not apply to an inspection and test completed under the 2020 Regulations before 30 November 2026.
• The five year pre-tenancy rule. A pre-tenancy inspection and test is treated as having taken place if one took place no more than five years earlier and the report is still current. “Current” means the date in the report for the next inspection has not passed. The draft sets this out for private landlords. For registered providers it has a similar provision for checks of the electrical equipment they provide in the home, using a current record that the item is safe for continued use.

Who enforces

The Minister said local councils enforce the Regulations. If a council has reasonable grounds to believe a landlord is in breach, it must serve a remedial notice. If the landlord does not comply, or urgent action is needed, the council may arrange the remedial action itself.

Questions raised in the committee

Gareth Bacon, speaking for the Opposition, called the changes broadly technical and not contentious. He asked who will monitor the standards during transitional periods, given local government reorganisation. He also asked what is planned for tenants’ compliance as well as landlords’.

The Minister said he did not immediately see a link between local government reorganisation and the enforcement duty, and invited evidence in writing. On tenant responsibility his answer in the debate was about hazards such as damp, mould and pests. He said landlords should not assume they come from a tenant’s lifestyle. Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat, called the electrical regulations a tidying up exercise and said his party supports them.

How this fits with Awaab’s Law

Electrical hazards are one of the Phase 2 hazards. The GOV.UK guidance says an electrical hazard should be investigated and put right by a qualified and competent electrician. GOV.UK also says that where an Awaab’s Law timeline is shorter than the one in the electrical safety regulations, landlords should follow the shorter one.

What happens next

• The draft still needs Commons approval and then to be made. As at 20 October 2026 legislation.gov.uk shows it as a draft.
• The draft says it comes into force on 30 November 2026, the same date as the Phase 2 draft.
• This page will be updated when the Regulations are made.

Hansard paraphrases: Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab).

Sources

1. Draft Electrical Safety Standards amending Regulations 2026 (legislation.gov.uk)
2. Draft regulation 4: pre-tenancy inspection and test (legislation.gov.uk)
3. Hansard: First Delegated Legislation Committee, 19 October 2026
4. Hansard: Lords, motions to approve, 14 October 2026
5. The Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020, SI 2020/312 (legislation.gov.uk)
6. Awaab’s Law Phase 2: Guidance for social landlords, section 5 (GOV.UK)

General information, not legal advice. Check the primary source before relying on any statement, and take advice from a housing lawyer on your own position. Last reviewed 20 October 2026.