Landlord Electrical Safety Requirements in 2026

If you're a landlord in Greenwich, Blackheath or anywhere in the surrounding SE postcode areas, you have legal obligations around electrical safety that carry significant financial penalties if ignored. Here's a clear summary of what the regulations require, what the inspection involves, and how to stay compliant efficiently.

The Legal Framework

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force for new tenancies in June 2020 and for all existing tenancies in April 2021. They require all private landlords to:

1. Ensure the electrical installation in the property is inspected and tested by a qualified electrician at least every 5 years
2. Obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from the inspecting electrician
3. Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
4. Provide a copy to any new tenant before they occupy the property
5. Provide a copy to any prospective tenant who requests it within 28 days
6. Supply the local authority with a copy if requested
7. Carry out and evidence any remedial work identified within 28 days (or sooner if specified by the inspector)

What Qualifies as a "Qualified Electrician"?

The regulations require the inspection to be carried out by a person who is "competent" to do so. In practice, this means an electrician who holds a recognised qualification in inspection and testing — specifically, a City & Guilds 2391 or equivalent, and who is registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA. All inspection work is carried out by our qualified electricians with the appropriate credentials.

What Happens if the EICR Is Unsatisfactory?

If the inspection reveals C1 or C2 faults, the report will be Unsatisfactory. You have 28 days to carry out the remedial work and obtain written confirmation that it has been completed. If the inspector indicates a C1 fault that creates immediate danger, the timeframe may be shorter.

Once the remedial work is done, the electrician issues an Electrical Installation Certificate confirming the work carried out. You'll then need to supply this to your tenants alongside the original EICR.

What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?

Local authorities can impose financial penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. A breach can include failing to have a valid EICR, failing to supply copies to tenants, or failing to carry out remedial works within the required timeframe.

Non-compliance can also affect your ability to serve a Section 21 notice, which removes one of the most commonly used tools for recovering possession of a property.

HMOs and Additional Licensing

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Greenwich fall under additional rules. Mandatory HMO licensing applies to properties of 5 or more occupants forming two or more households. Greenwich Borough Council may also operate additional or selective licensing schemes — check directly with the council if you're unsure whether your property requires a licence.

HMO licences often require more frequent electrical inspections and may specify additional safety features. If you're a Greenwich HMO landlord, we can advise on what's required when you contact us.

Smoke and CO Alarm Requirements

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require:

• At least one smoke alarm on every storey of the property where there is a room used as living accommodation
• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)
• All alarms to be in working order at the start of each new tenancy

We install interlinked mains-powered smoke and CO alarms as part of landlord compliance packages. If you need them fitted at the same time as an EICR, let us know when you contact us.

Practical Tips for Greenwich Landlords

• Keep a record of inspection dates. Note when each EICR expires and set a reminder 2–3 months in advance. Properties inspected in 2021 will be due again in 2026.
• Book with tenants directly in mind. We can liaise directly with your tenants to arrange access — just provide their contact details when you message us.
• Budget for remedial work. Older Greenwich properties — Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war housing — often need consumer unit upgrades or bonding work at EICR. These are predictable costs worth planning for.
• Keep documentation organised. You need to be able to supply copies of the EICR and any remedial certificates quickly — to tenants, new tenants and the council.