The Government published its guidance on Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors in November 2025. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 were extended to include the social rented sector in 2025: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025.

This guidance explains what should be inspected and tested, and also what the landlord is required to do following inspection and testing.

When do the regulations come into force for the social rented sector?

The regulations came into force on 1 November 2025 and will apply to social housing tenancies granted after 1 December 2025. For social housing tenancies granted before 1 December 2025, the regulations come into force on 1 May 2026. There is transitional provision set out in the regulations for such tenancies, which requires social landlords in the first instance to:

• Ensure electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified person before 1 November 2026.
• Ensure electrical equipment is checked by a qualified person before 1 November 2026.
• Where the record indicates that electrical equipment is not safe for continued use, the landlord must, as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 28 days after the check, ensure that remedial work is carried out or replace the equipment.

Why have the Electrical Safety Regulations been extended to social rented sector?

They have been extended to social rented sector as part of a broader package aimed at raising standards in rented homes, including Awaab’s Law, a new Decent Homes Standard, and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

What do these regulations require?

They require all landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. They must obtain a report from the qualified person, providing a copy of this to their tenants, and to the council if requested.

Social landlords must also have the electrical equipment that they provide under the tenancy checked by a qualified person at least every 5 years. They must provide a copy of the record to their tenants, and to the council if requested.

If the report or record shows that remedial work or further investigation is required, landlords must complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report/record.

What standard should an electrical installation meet?

The 18^th Edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

Do the regulations apply to communal areas?

No, the regulations do not apply to communal areas of a building, such as stairwells, corridors, or other shared spaces.

Where can I find more information and get help?

The Government’s published guidance on Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors.

Electrical Safety First have published a best practice guide aimed at landlords, letting agents and others responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of electrical installations in rented homes.