Landlord electrical guidance
What changed?
The Repairing Standard requires installations for the supply of electricity to be in a reasonable state of repair and proper working order. From 1 March 2024 it also includes a requirement for one or more residual current devices, commonly called RCDs, to reduce the risk of electric shock and fire.
What is an RCD?
An RCD monitors current flowing through the electrical system. If it detects current leaking along an unintended path, it disconnects the supply rapidly. This provides important additional protection that a traditional fuse or circuit breaker alone may not provide.
Modern consumer units often use RCBOs, which combine residual-current and overcurrent protection for each individual circuit. A fault can then disconnect one circuit rather than a large group of circuits.
Does an old fuse box automatically need replaced?
Not simply because of age. The installation must be inspected and tested. However, a board with no suitable RCD protection will not meet the current Repairing Standard for a private let and may require an upgrade or other properly designed solution.
Five-yearly electrical safety inspection
Private landlords must arrange electrical safety inspections at least every five years, covering the fixed installation through an EICR and the safety of electrical appliances supplied with the tenancy. Reports should be retained and provided as required by the tenancy rules.
An EICR records the actual condition of the installation. Remedial work is separate and should address observations according to their safety significance.
Advice for tenants
Tenants should be shown which protective device is the RCD and how to use its test button. Testing temporarily disconnects the circuits it protects, so appliances and electronic equipment should be considered first. If the device does not trip when the test button is pressed, the landlord or electrician should be contacted.
Ongoing responsibility
Compliance is not limited to the day a certificate is issued. Reported faults, damaged accessories, repeated tripping and other warning signs should be investigated promptly. Alterations between inspections may also require additional certification.