Who the five-year rule applies to
The regulations cover most private tenancies in England, including houses in multiple occupation. They applied to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to existing tenancies from 1 April 2021, so every covered let should now have a report less than five years old.
Some lets are excluded, including lodgers who share the home with the landlord, long leases of seven years or more and social housing. The GOV.UK guidance has the full list, and it is worth checking before deciding a property is out of scope.
What the codes on the report mean
The inspector records each problem with a code. Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory, and the work must be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. The landlord then gives written confirmation from the electrician to the tenants and to the council within 28 days of the work being finished.
- C1 — danger present. Risk of injury, and it needs putting right immediately.
- C2 — potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work is required.
- C3 — improvement recommended. Not a legal requirement to fix under the regulations.
- FI — further investigation required without delay.
When to get one sooner
Five years is the longest gap allowed, not a target. If the inspector writes a shorter interval on the report, that interval is the one that applies. A new report is also sensible after a flood or fire, after major alterations, and before letting a property for the first time.
A change of tenant does not by itself trigger a new inspection: the existing report carries over as long as it is still in date, and the new tenant is given a copy before moving in.
What happens if a landlord does not comply
The council enforces the regulations. It can require remedial work, arrange the work itself and recover the cost, and impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000.