If you own a property in your capacity as attorney, executor or trustee and you are renting this under an assured shorthold tenancy it is important you make sure that you are aware of the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
These new regulations require checks to be carried out on all electrical installations in a property every five years. Electrical installations include fixed electrical parts, wiring, plug sockets, lights, extractor fans for example. They do not include cookers, fridge freezers and tvs but why not PAT test them anyway! If the landlord is asked they must be able to provide a copy of the safety certificate to their tenants and the local authority.
The regulations apply to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to existing tenancies from 1 April 2021 so it is important that landlords with existing tenants act now.
Failure to act in your capacity as trustee, executor or attorney could land you with a fine of up to £30,000. Whilst this would immediately be payable by the trust or the estate you are looking after you could be on the hook for negligence if you fail to act, if you did not take professional advice, which means fund could come out of your pocket.
If in doubt check it out (with a suitably qualified lawyer)!
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