Government backs mandatory EICR's every 5 years for landlords.

[Michaelwgroves]

Long overdue............................

The Government has backed introducing a mandatory requirement on landlords with properties in England to ensure that electrical installations in their property are inspected every five years.

However, it has not provided a start date.

Such a proposal has been recommended by several working groups of industry bodies, the most recent at the end of last year.

Housing Secretary James Brokenshire yesterday announced plans for the mandatory checks to be introduced alongside the launch of a separate consultation on building regulations following a review by Dame Judith Hackitt in the aftermath of the Grenfell fire tragedy.

Brokenshire said: “There is nothing more important than ensuring people are safe in their own homes.

“That is why I am announcing a package of measures focused on improving building safety, having listened carefully to the concerns which have been raised.”

Responding to the announcement, Phil Buckle, director general of charity Electrical Safety First, said: “We are delighted the Government has finally recognised the importance of regular electrical checks in the private rental sector which protects both tenants and landlords.

“Electrical Safety First has led the charge for this to be made a legal requirement for UK homes and successfully lobbied for these to be introduced in the PRS in Scotland – with Wales and Northern Ireland set to follow suit.

“Our campaign for the introduction of these checks has been supported by 71% of MPs, from all parties.”

Fire safety: clarification of statutory guidance (Approved Document B) - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fire-safety-clarification-of-statutory-guidance-approved-document-b

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

There is a agent around this way who takes smaller deposits or rent upfront but gives the tenant the choice of there own insurance or they must obtain it themselves prior to the tenancy starting that covers any damage caused outside of the deposit. cost about £70 for a flat £100 for a house. it also gives the tenant a month i think of rent in the event they loose there job, or cant work due to illness etc.. seems quite a popular option as it means they tenant needs only pay 4 weeks upfront without a large deposit aswell.

 

[StephenRowley]

There is a agent around this way who takes smaller deposits or rent upfront but gives the tenant the choice of there own insurance or they must obtain it themselves prior to the tenancy starting that covers any damage caused outside of the deposit.

That does seem like a better way of doing, you could also add in a no claims type bonus for tenants, that way tenants who look after the properties they rent get some kind of reward for doing so and LL don't end up out of pocket for bad ones.

On a side note estate agents fees are rip off for both LL and tenants. 12% commission a month of doing sweet FA most of time and £300 on top of the fee the charge tenants at the start of the of tenancy, for sending a few email/phone calls and signing a bit of paper.

 

[buzzlightyear]

what do the goverment know. Because they know nowt .now ,
they dont listen to us why listen to them .

 

[Squid]

There is a agent around this way who takes smaller deposits or rent upfront but gives the tenant the choice of there own insurance or they must obtain it themselves prior to the tenancy starting that covers any damage caused outside of the deposit. cost about £70 for a flat £100 for a house. it also gives the tenant a month i think of rent in the event they loose there job, or cant work due to illness etc.. seems quite a popular option as it means they tenant needs only pay 4 weeks upfront without a large deposit aswell.

With his way of thinking he then gets decent tenants, I find that in the smaller towns there is less scum then in the larger cities as they live local and don't move away, being a LL in the cities is tiring, luckily for 14 years I had decent tenants but in he past for my Mum I had to chase down the debtors far and few in between but I got the money back that was owed.

 

[mydigitalhome]

I find it interesting the amount of electrical insurance policy's that do not automatically allow you to carry out Periodics on work you did not originally install. Without charging you loads more on your policy due to the higher risks involved. Have any of you guys checked your policy recently to see if its covered?