Overview

This bill mandates regular electrical safety inspections in high-rise social housing in England and Wales. It requires social landlords to provide tenants with inspection reports and establishes a complaints procedure for addressing electrical safety concerns.

Description

The High-rise Properties (Electrical Safety) Bill aims to improve electrical safety in high-rise social housing. Key aspects include:

• Landlord Duty: Social landlords must maintain a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for each dwelling in a high-rise building (over 18 meters, with at least two dwellings). This EICR must be no more than five years old, cover the entire fixed electrical installation, show a satisfactory outcome, be completed by a qualified person, and conform to BS 7671 standards or equivalent.
• Tenant Information: Landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the EICR and an explanation of the Act's provisions.
• Complaints Procedure: A formal complaints process is established for tenants to raise concerns. Landlords must investigate valid complaints within 28 days and rectify unsafe situations within 28 days of completing the investigation. If a complaint is deemed invalid, the landlord must explain this to the tenant within 28 days.
• Guidance and Enforcement: The Secretary of State can issue guidance on the Act's application. Non-compliance is an offense, punishable by a fine.
• Definitions: The bill defines "social landlord," "high-rise building," and "valid EICR."
• Extent and Commencement: The Act applies only to England and Wales and its commencement date will be set by the Secretary of State.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely be indirect, potentially involving increased administrative burdens for social landlords and enforcement costs for regulatory bodies. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Social Landlords: They will incur costs associated with regular EICRs, complaint handling, and potential remedial work. They face penalties for non-compliance.
• Tenants in High-Rise Social Housing: They benefit from improved electrical safety and a formal mechanism for raising concerns.
• Electrical Contractors: They may experience increased demand for EICR services.

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