Electrical Safety Checks Announced For Short-Term Lets In Scotland

New laws will see 5 yearly checks on electrical installations and appliance testing.

Mandatory five yearly electrical safety checks are to be introduced for short term lets in Scotland as well as electrical appliance testing, the Scottish Government has announced.

Owners of short term lets in Scotland, will be required to prove their properties are electrically safe under new laws passed by Holyrood in a first of its kind for the UK.

Under new legislation the electrical installation, including wiring, sockets and fittings within the property will need to be inspected and tested by a competent person at least every five years. On completion an electrical installation condition report (or EICR) must be provided to the owner.

Appliances that are accessible to guests will also be required to be inspected and tested which could include washing machines, tumble dryers and fridges. A report will be required to prove the safety of these appliances called a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) Report.

The introduction of these new laws will see Scotland become the first nation within the UK to introduce electrical safety regulations on short term lets.

Current laws and standards in Scotland already require landlords within the private rented sector and social rented sector to undertake five yearly electrical safety checks however owners of short term lets were not covered by these requirements.