Advice for landlords

In 2015, the Scottish Government issued statutory guidance on electrical installations and appliances in private rented property. This was part of the Scottish Government Advice Pack for Private Landlords and was issued under sections 13(4A) and 19B(4) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. 

The act included a requirement for landlords to conduct five-yearly electrical checks of the fixed wiring and any electrical appliances supplied in privately rented homes. 

The guidance states that the checks must be conducted by appropriately skilled persons and lists those employed by SELECT Members as one of the organisations meeting this requirement. 

The guidance also states that private landlords in Scotland are required by law to ensure that a rented house meets the repairing standard at the start of a tenancy and throughout a tenancy. 
 
In addition, the then Minister for Local Government and Housing, Kevin Stewart, reminded landlords of their responsibilities, saying: “Government statistics have shown that most accidental fires in Scottish homes are caused by electricity. It is most important to continue to deliver the safety message to landlords.”

Electrical safety inspection 

The electrical safety inspection to be conducted by landlords has two separate elements: 

  • An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) on the safety of the electrical installations, fixtures and fittings
  • A Portable Appliance Test (PAT) on portable appliances. 


SELECT Members operate all over Scotland and can help landlords meet their legal requirements. Visit our search for Members who provide this service.
 
More information about the repairing standard and the other elements that need to be met by landlords is available on the Scottish Government website

Other information 

Looking for further guidance? Download the SELECT guide to Electrical Safety Checks in the Private Rental Sector or the Electrical Safety First brochure Landlords’ guide to electrical safety – Scotland. 

Landlords who require further clarification should contact SELECT’s Technical Services team on 0131 445 5577. 

Deposit update 

If a landlord in Scotland takes a deposit from their tenant, they must transfer the deposit to a government approved tenancy deposit scheme and provide the tenant(s) with particular key information. This is a requirement under the Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Click here for more information.