Mannofield landlords
Letting a Mannofield home: what Scottish law asks for
Under the Repairing Standard in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, a private let needs an electrical safety inspection before a tenant moves in and at least every five years after that. The inspection has two halves, an EICR on the fixed wiring and PAT on the appliances you supply, and we carry out both in one visit. Mannofield is in the city, so your landlord registration sits with Aberdeen City Council.
- One report can serve several tenancies. An EICR up to five years old when a tenancy starts is still valid; you do not need a fresh one for each new tenant.
- Copies go to the tenant. They receive the latest report before moving in and a copy of any inspection made while they live there. You keep yours for six years.
- The cost is the landlord's. It cannot be passed on to the tenant unless the tribunal decides otherwise.
- RCD protection is the minimum. A house with no RCD falls short. At least one 30mA RCD in the main board, normally on the sockets, meets the standard, and an RCBO on every circuit is not demanded.
- A recent rewire can stand in. An Electrical Installation Certificate under five years old can take the place of an EICR, provided its next inspection date has not passed.
The detail is set out in Annex D3 of the Scottish Government statutory guidance for private landlords.
Can a landlord be fined for not having an EICR in Mannofield?
Yes, though in Scotland the route runs through a tribunal and then the courts rather than an instant penalty. The tenant, or Aberdeen City Council acting for them, can apply to the Housing and Property Chamber, which can make a repairing standard enforcement order listing the work required. Ignoring that order without a reasonable excuse, or granting a new tenancy while it remains in force, is an offence under section 28 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and can lead to a fine on conviction. The tribunal may also reduce the rent through a rent relief order. Fixed penalty figures quoted on UK wide websites come from the English rules and do not apply in Mannofield.
Staying clear of all that takes one appointment: the EICR and the appliance tests together, the report sent to you or your letting agent, and a written price for any repair it lists.