Legal Requirements for Electrical Safety in the UK (Business & Landlords)

If you are a landlord or business owner in the UK, you are legally responsible for ensuring that all electrical installations and equipment on your premises are safe. This includes arranging regular inspections, keeping accurate records, addressing faults promptly, and providing evidence of compliance when required. Failing to meet electrical safety obligations can result in fines, enforcement action, invalid insurance, and serious safety risks.

This guide explains exactly what the law requires, who it applies to, and how landlords and businesses can stay compliant with confidence.

Why Electrical Safety Compliance Matters

Electrical safety is not optional. Faulty wiring, damaged appliances, and poorly maintained systems are among the leading causes of fires, injuries, and fatalities in the UK.

For landlords and businesses, electrical safety compliance is about:

• Protecting tenants, employees, customers, and visitors

• Meeting statutory obligations under UK law

• Avoiding fines, enforcement notices, and legal disputes

• Maintaining valid insurance cover

• Demonstrating professional responsibility and duty of care

Electrical safety legislation exists to prevent accidents before they happen. Understanding your responsibilities is the first step toward protecting people and property.

Who Is Responsible for Electrical Safety?

Electrical safety responsibilities apply to several groups, including:

• Private landlords

• Commercial landlords

• Business owners and employers

• Property managers

• Duty holders responsible for premises

The level of responsibility depends on how the property is used, but the principle remains the same: anyone in control of a property or workplace must ensure electrical systems are safe.

Key UK Electrical Safety Legislation

Several pieces of legislation work together to define electrical safety obligations in the UK. Understanding how they overlap helps clarify what is required.

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

This foundational law places a duty on employers and those in control of premises to ensure the health and safety of employees and anyone affected by their activities. Electrical safety falls squarely within this responsibility.

If you operate a business, you must ensure that electrical installations and equipment do not present a risk to staff or the public.

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

These regulations apply to all workplaces and require that electrical systems are:

• Designed and constructed safely

• Maintained to prevent danger

• Used in a way that does not create risk

The regulations do not specify inspection intervals. Instead, they require that systems are maintained in a condition that prevents danger. This is why regular inspections and testing are considered best practice and, in many cases, essential.

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020

These regulations apply to residential rental properties in England and introduced clear legal duties for landlords.

Landlords must:

• Ensure fixed electrical installations are inspected and tested at least every five years

• Obtain a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

• Provide copies of the report to tenants and local authorities when requested

• Complete remedial work within required timescales

Similar standards now apply across the rented sector, ensuring consistent safety expectations for tenants.

Building Regulations (Part P)

Part P of the Building Regulations focuses on electrical safety in dwellings. While it primarily applies to new installations and major electrical work, it reinforces the requirement that electrical work must be safe and compliant.

Electrical Safety Requirements for Landlords

Landlords have specific legal duties designed to protect tenants from electrical hazards. These obligations apply to both new and existing tenancies.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is the cornerstone of landlord electrical compliance.

An EICR:

• Assesses the safety of fixed wiring and installations

• Identifies defects, deterioration, and potential hazards

• Categorises issues by severity

• Confirms whether the installation is safe for continued use

For most rented properties, an EICR must be carried out at least every five years by a qualified and competent person.

Providing EICR Reports

Landlords must:

• Provide a copy of the EICR to tenants within the required timeframe

• Supply the report to new tenants before occupation

• Make the report available to local authorities upon request

Keeping clear records and documentation is essential to demonstrate compliance.

Remedial Work and Follow-Up

If an EICR identifies safety issues, landlords must:

• Arrange remedial work within the timeframe stated in the report

• Obtain written confirmation that the work has been completed

• Provide evidence of repairs to tenants and authorities if required

Ignoring or delaying remedial work can lead to enforcement action and fines.

Portable Appliance Safety in Rental Properties

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that any electrical appliances they supply are safe. While there is no fixed legal requirement for PAT testing intervals, the law requires that equipment is maintained in a safe condition.

Regular testing and inspection provide clear evidence that this duty has been met.

Electrical Safety Requirements for Businesses

Businesses face similar obligations but often across larger and more complex premises.

Duty of Care in Commercial Premises

Business owners and employers must ensure that electrical systems do not pose a risk to:

• Employees

• Contractors

• Customers

• Visitors

This includes fixed wiring, distribution boards, machinery, and portable equipment.

Electrical Inspections in Commercial Buildings

While the law does not mandate a single inspection interval for businesses, industry guidance and insurers typically expect:

• Regular Electrical Installation Condition Reports

• Increased inspection frequency in high-risk environments

• Inspections when premises change use or occupancy

An EICR provides documented evidence that a business is meeting its legal duties.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for Businesses

PAT testing is widely used in workplaces to verify the safety of electrical appliances. Although not explicitly required by law at set intervals, it is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations.

PAT testing helps identify:

• Damaged cables and plugs

• Faulty internal wiring

• Equipment deterioration due to wear or environment

For many businesses, regular PAT testing is essential for insurance and risk management.

Common Electrical Safety Risks

Understanding common risks helps landlords and businesses take proactive action.

Typical electrical hazards include:

• Aging or overloaded wiring

• Poorly installed electrical systems

• Damaged sockets and switches

• Faulty or unmaintained appliances

• Inadequate earthing and bonding

Routine inspections help identify these issues before they cause harm.

Record Keeping and Documentation

Proper documentation is a vital part of electrical safety compliance.

Landlords and businesses should keep records of:

• Electrical Installation Condition Reports

• Portable appliance testing results

• Remedial works and repairs

• Certificates and inspection dates

Clear records demonstrate compliance, support insurance claims, and provide reassurance during audits or inspections.

Enforcement and Penalties

Failure to comply with electrical safety laws can lead to serious consequences.

These may include:

• Financial penalties

• Enforcement notices

• Restrictions on property use

• Invalidation of insurance policies

• Legal action in serious cases

Compliance is significantly more cost-effective than dealing with the consequences of non-compliance.

Best Practice for Staying Compliant

To maintain compliance and peace of mind:

• Schedule inspections in advance

• Work with qualified and competent professionals

• Address issues promptly

• Maintain clear records

• Review safety requirements regularly

Proactive management reduces risk and protects people and property.

How Global Compliance UK Can Help

Managing electrical safety requirements can be complex, especially for landlords with multiple properties or businesses with large premises. Professional support ensures compliance is achieved efficiently and correctly.

Global Compliance provides comprehensive electrical testing and compliance services tailored to landlords and businesses across the UK. From EICRs and PAT testing to ongoing safety support, GCUK helps you meet legal obligations with confidence.

Contact us, if you need expert guidance or professional electrical safety inspections, Global Compliance UK is here to help. Our experienced team works with landlords and businesses to ensure full compliance with UK electrical safety regulations.