Landlord safety checks in London: EICR, smoke and CO alarms

A landlord who lets a home in England has legal duties for electrical safety, alarms and gas. This guide gives the main checks, how often they are due, and what we can do for you. It is a summary, not legal advice.

The checklist

Check	When it is due	Who does it
Electrical inspection (EICR)	At least every five years	We arrange it
EICR report given to the tenant	Within 28 days of the inspection	You
Remedial work from the EICR done	Within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so	We do it
Smoke alarm on each storey with living accommodation	In place at all times	We fit and replace them
Carbon monoxide alarm in each room with a fixed combustion appliance	In place at all times	We fit and replace them
Alarms tested	On the first day of each tenancy	You, or us between tenancies
Gas safety check	Every year	We arrange it
Gas safety record given to the tenant	Within 28 days of the check	You
PAT test of the appliances you supply	Not required by law, but the usual proof that they are safe	We do it
EPC rating of E or better	Before you let; C expected from October 2030	My EPC Partner plans the work

Gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers. Electrical work is carried out by NICEIC registered electricians. You can download a fillable copy of this checklist for each property.

The electrical inspection (EICR)

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to most private tenancies.

A qualified and competent person must inspect and test the electrical installation at least every five years.
You must give a copy of the report to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection, and to a new tenant before they move in.
If the report asks for remedial work or further investigation, you must do it within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
The council can fine a landlord up to £30,000 for a breach.

We do EICR electrical certificates and the remedial work that follows them. Electrical work is carried out by NICEIC registered electricians. See our electricians in West London.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 were amended on 1 October 2022. Under the current rules:

Each storey that has a room used as living accommodation needs at least one smoke alarm.
Each room used as living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance needs a carbon monoxide alarm. A gas cooker does not count.
You must check that the alarms work on the first day of each new tenancy.
When a tenant tells you that an alarm is faulty, you must repair or replace it.

We fit and replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Gas safety

A Gas Safe registered engineer must check each gas appliance and flue that you supply, every year. You must give the tenant a copy of the record within 28 days of the check.

We arrange the annual gas safety check and the gas safety certificate.

Appliances and PAT testing

The law does not require a PAT test. But a landlord must make sure that the electrical appliances they supply are safe. A PAT test record is the usual way to show it. We do PAT testing.

Energy performance (EPC)

A rented home must have an EPC rating of E or better. Rented homes are expected to need a rating of C from October 2030. Our EPC service, My EPC Partner, plans the upgrade work for a portfolio.

How we can help

One visit between tenancies. We do the EICR and the gas safety check, test and replace the alarms, PAT test the appliances, and do the repairs and the decoration in the same visit, while the property is empty.
The remedial work. When an EICR asks for work, our electricians do it, and you get the paperwork to show the work is done.
A record of every job. We keep a record of each visit, so you can show it to a tenant, a freeholder or an insurer.
Published rates. We charge for time on site at our published rates, and there is no call-out fee.

To arrange a visit, see our property maintenance for landlords, or call us.