Landlord Legislation | Bristol Lettings

We've collated the latest lettings regulations to help keep you up-to-date and compliant.

We will update this summary as regulations change. If you have any questions or concerns, get in touch with your local office. Our teams will be very happy to help even if you're not an Ocean Landlord.

Fire, Heating and Gas

Just like employers, landlords have certain legal obligations when it comes to fire safety and protection of their properties and the safety of people who reside in their premises.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

What about gas heating and appliance safety?

What about electrical regulations?

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations

All electrical appliances that are left in the let property, have to be safe. We recommend that you get all appliances checked annually by a qualified engineer who will give you a PAT (Portable Appliance Test) certificate. All appliances manufactured after January 1995 should carry the CE symbol. hse.gov.uk/electricity

Periodic Inspection Report (P.I.R.)

Landlords are required by law to ensure: That the electrical installation in a rented property is safe when tenants move in. That the electrical installation is maintained in a safe condition as long as the tenants are there.

Regulations apply from 1 July 2020, to all new tenancies beginning on or after 1 June 2020, and to existing tenancies from 1 April 2021 that - a qualified person conducts a P.I.R. and issues an E.I.C.R. and every 5 years thereafter.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (E.I.C.R)

An up-to-date EICR will ensure you are fulfilling your legal responsibilities as described above, and cover you in the event of an electrical accident, it may also be a condition of your landlord insurance.

What is an EICR?

An electrical installation condition report is used to identify defects, deterioration, damages and/or conditions which may indicate potential danger, as well as providing recommendations for improvement within a given property. The Landlord’s Electrical Safety Certificate is also accepted as a valid EICR.

What Will the EICR Report Show?

Inspectors will use the following classifications to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work:

Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. The electrical inspector may make any C1 hazards safe before leaving the property.
Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous. Further Investigation (FI) is required without delay.
Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Further remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory.

When Do You Need an EICR?

With wear and age, electrical installations will degrade over time and potentially become a risk for a building’s inhabitants.

According to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulation BS 7671, which is the UK standard for electrical installations, the following is recommended:

Landlords – An EICH test should be conducted every 5 years, when there is a change of tenancy, or a new property is purchased to let.

Homeowners – An EICR test should be conducted every 10 years, unless the property has a swimming pool, then tests should be conducted every year.

Business Owners – An EICR test should be conducted every 5 years.

Who can Conduct an EICR?

Only a qualified electrician can conduct and issue an EICR report.

How much does an EICR Cost?

EICR rates are not fixed. Generally, cost will change depending on -

Location – while prices are competitive throughout the UK, anywhere without a local electrician will incur higher call-out rates.

Property age – Older properties tend to be more difficult to maintain, requiring longer and more extensive testing.

Property size – Larger properties naturally take longer to test, potentially prolonging an investigation.

Inspection duration – Additional actions or remedial works can incur higher expenses.

Please note: If you rent your property to 3 or more people from 2 or more households (families) then it is a legal requirement in line with Bristol City Council legislation.

What if I let my property furnished?

Am I required to fit smoke alarms?

Deposits and Certificates

The legislation states that any damage deposit taken on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy needs to be held in Government approved schemes. And EPCs are provided.

Are Tenancy Deposit Schemes mandatory?

What about Energy Performance Certificates?

Regulations and Tests

Private landlords must understand the requirements under the Housing Act 2004 in relation to the HHSRS, ensure the safety of their tenants, and pass local authority risk assessments.

Legionella and the landlord's responsibilities

Housing health & Safety Rating and Risk Assessments

Why not let us take care of everything?

With the penalties for non-compliance getting harsher and legislation getting more complex, the easiest way to get peace of mind is to let us take care of everything for you.

Along with managing the property and looking after your tenants, our highly trained, ARLA-qualified property management team ensures you are always kept up to date with legal requirements, provides solutions, and arranges specialist contractors.

With our Complete Management service you can sit back, relax and leave it all to us.

Transparent landlord fees

We're always totally transparent about our fees – we’re open and straightforward about what we charge for our services.

But if anything isn’t 100% clear, or if you have any questions, do get in touch. We’d be very happy to hear from you.

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Landlord Regulations 2024

We've collated the latest lettings regulations to help keep you up-to-date and compliant.

We will update this summary as regulations change. If you have any questions or concerns, get in touch with your local office. Our teams will be very happy to help even if you're not an Ocean Landlord.

Fire, Heating and Gas

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

What about gas heating and appliance safety?

What if I let my property furnished?

Why not let us take care of everything?

Transparent landlord fees