Electrical safety for landlords and letting agents
EICRs, remedial work, alarms and PAT testing for private landlords, letting agents, block managers and housing associations across Bristol, Bath and the South West. One contact for every property, visits planned around your tenants, and a clear quote before any work starts.
Your legal duties
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords must:
- Have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner if the last report says so.
- Give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they move in.
- Send a copy to the local council within 7 days if it asks for one.
- Carry out any remedial work or further investigation the report calls for within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, and confirm in writing to the tenant and the council that it's done.
Councils can fine landlords who breach the regulations.
Social landlords in England now have the same five-year duty. It applies to new tenancies from 1 December 2025 and to existing tenancies from 1 May 2026.
An EICR is more than a visual check
A visual check, for example at check-in or during a routine inspection, can spot a cracked socket or a scorched plug. It can't tell you whether the wiring is safe, and it doesn't meet the 2020 Regulations.
An EICR is a full inspection and test: the consumer unit, every circuit, earthing and bonding, and a sample of sockets, switches and fittings opened up. Circuits are tested with the power off and on, and RCDs are checked to confirm they trip as they should. You get a written report with each issue coded C1, C2, C3 or FI. There's more on what an EICR involves on our EICR page.
How we work with agents and block managers
- One contact. You deal with the same qualified electrician for every property, from booking to report.
- Access arranged through you. We agree visit times with you, and tell you in advance when the power will be off so your tenants know what to expect.
- Reports explained. You get the written report, and we talk you through anything that needs action.
- Tenant-reported faults. We can also attend faults reported by your tenants, and tenants can send us a fault report online.
For blocks and HMOs, we also cover communal areas and commercial premises.
Remedial work
If the report is unsatisfactory, you get a clear quote for each item. We aim to complete the work well inside the 28-day window, and you get certificates for it to send to your tenants and, if asked, the council.
Smoke, heat and fire alarms
Landlords in England must have a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or wood burner. We can check and replace alarms at the same visit as an EICR.
For HMOs and the communal areas of blocks, we install, test and service fire alarm panels and emergency lighting. Panel systems are usually serviced every six months.
PAT testing for furnished lets
The 2020 Regulations don't cover plug-in appliances, but you're still responsible for making sure any you supply are safe. PAT testing is the usual way to show that, and some HMO licences require it.
Join your contractor panel
If you'd like us on your approved list, email your onboarding pack to info@es-sw.co.uk. We'll return it with our insurance details.
We work for landlords in Bristol, landlords in Bath and across the South West.
Excellent service from start to finish. The electrician was professional, friendly, and arrived promptly. We needed a new socket installed, and the work was carried out quickly and efficiently. Everything was left clean and tidy, and the quality of the work was excellent. We’re very pleased with the result and would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a reliable and professional electrician.
Questions from landlords and agents
How often does a rental property need an EICR?
At least every five years, or sooner if the last report recommends it. A new tenancy doesn't need a new report if the current one is still in date, but every new tenant must be given a copy before they move in.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
Any item coded C1, C2 or FI must be put right within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. We'll quote clearly for each item, carry out the work and give you certificates to confirm it's done, which you then send to your tenants.
Do tenants need to be home?
Not if access has been arranged and the tenants have agreed to it. We agree with you in advance when the power will be off, so your tenants can be told, and we leave everything switched back on and working when we go.
Do I need PAT testing for a furnished let?
It isn't required by the 2020 Regulations, but you must make sure any appliances you supply are safe. PAT testing is the usual way to show that, and some HMO licences ask for it. We can test appliances at the same visit as an EICR.
Do you work for housing associations?
Yes. Social landlords in England must have rented homes inspected and tested at least every five years: for new tenancies from 1 December 2025, and for existing tenancies from 1 May 2026. We can inspect, report and carry out remedial work across a group of properties.
Get a free quote
Tell us about the property or portfolio and what you need, and we'll give you a clear quote before any work starts.