NICEIC welcomes new electrical safety legislation requiring five-yearly electrical safety checks for new tenancies in Northern Ireland’s private rented sector.
Debbie Shields | Communications Manager
From 1 April 2025, electrical safety checks must be carried out every five years in privately rented homes in Northern Ireland. This will ensure that all fixed electrical installations are inspected and tested by a competent and qualified electrician at least once every five years, protecting over 100,000 homes from potential electrical hazards.
The new laws apply immediately to all new tenancies, with existing tenancies granted before 1 April given until 1 December 2025 to comply.
Protecting homes and saving lives
The legislation was championed by industry stakeholders including representatives from NICEIC and Electrical Safety First (ESF), the charity committed to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. It’s designed to offer stronger protection for tenants against the risks of electrical shocks and fires. If requested, landlords must provide copies of the electrical safety report to their tenants and local authorities.
Following each inspection, landlords will have 28 days to carry out any remedial work required to ensure the property remains safe, with those failing to do so facing potential fines.
NICEIC: every person deserves to feel safe in their home
Paul Collins, NICEIC’s Technical Director, commented:
“This represents a positive step forward for electrical safety in Northern Ireland, bringing its rules in line with those in the rest of the UK. I’m sure the changes will also provide reassurance to those living in homes in the private rented sector, that their home and family is not at risk of unsafe electrics.”
We encourage landlords to contact an NICEIC Approved Contractor to carry out inspection and testing in their properties, to ensure that work is carried out to a high standard by a business with the right qualifications and certifications and a proven track record of excellence.
Landlords looking to find out more about their electrical safety obligations should consult the Landlord’s guide to electrical safety published by Electrical Safety First.
The new laws apply immediately to all new tenancies, with existing tenancies granted before 1 April given until 1 December 2025 to comply.
Protecting homes and saving lives
The legislation was championed by industry stakeholders including representatives from NICEIC and Electrical Safety First (ESF), the charity committed to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. It’s designed to offer stronger protection for tenants against the risks of electrical shocks and fires. If requested, landlords must provide copies of the electrical safety report to their tenants and local authorities.
Following each inspection, landlords will have 28 days to carry out any remedial work required to ensure the property remains safe, with those failing to do so facing potential fines.
NICEIC: every person deserves to feel safe in their home
Paul Collins, NICEIC’s Technical Director, commented:
“This represents a positive step forward for electrical safety in Northern Ireland, bringing its rules in line with those in the rest of the UK. I’m sure the changes will also provide reassurance to those living in homes in the private rented sector, that their home and family is not at risk of unsafe electrics.”
We encourage landlords to contact an NICEIC Approved Contractor to carry out inspection and testing in their properties, to ensure that work is carried out to a high standard by a business with the right qualifications and certifications and a proven track record of excellence.
Landlords looking to find out more about their electrical safety obligations should consult the Landlord’s guide to electrical safety published by Electrical Safety First.
