Electrical Inspection Reports

A new law comes into force in England on 1st October 2007, that requires persons managing 'Section 257' Houses in Multiple Occupation to ensure that the fixed electrical installations in those premises are inspected and tested by a competent person at least every 5 years. The installations must also be maintained in a safe condition and good working order.

Managers must obtain a test certificate on the condition of the installation from the competent person and must supply a copy of it to the local housing authority within 7 days of receiving a written request.

Section 257 of the Housing Act applies to buildings that have been converted entirely into self contained flats and for which:

The standard of conversion does not meet at least that required by the building regulations 1991 and Less than two thirds of the flats are owner occupied.

The requirement for the periodic inspection of electrical installations had already been extended to all other types of HMO's (Shared houses, bedsits etc) under previous regulations. The new regulations extend the requirement to all HMO's.

Anyone failing to comply with the requirements can be prosecuted by the local housing authority.

020 8850 9947