Prepare for the Future of Residential Electrical Installations

se.com/uk
Contents

Introduction Evolving The need for What landlords

regulations and change need to do
legislation

1 2 3 4

What are How we can help Summary Additional

your options? Resources

5 6 7 8
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Introduction

This e-book will offer a simple guide to helping private landlords

understand and prepare for:

• The future of electrical requirements

• Changing regulations

• Key residential trends

• Electrical infrastructure of the home

• Suggestions and guidance for Landlords

The content of this e-book will be useful for public landlords and
homeowners looking to further understand their homes electrical
installations.

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Evolving Regulations and Legislation

The number of landlords is growing, and with it the number of regulations to protect tenants. In the
UK there are over 2.65 million landlords (1) and 29 million homes (2). The adoption of electric vehicles
(EVs), home charging, and the integration of other Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) such as heat 2.65
pumps in our homes is creating increased demand and a need for increased electric capacity at home. million landlords
The Landlords and Tenants Act 1985 requires that the electrical installation in a rented property is safe
when a tenancy begins and maintained in a safe condition. New regulations also mean that all rented
properties (not just HMOs) need an electrical certificate showing the property has been tested within the
past 5 years, was deemed safe and met the required standards at the time it was tested. 29
Legal Requirements million homes
Landlords are legally obliged to undertake an audit and carry out any work highlighted. For most
landlords, this is more than just getting a new electrical certificate – it is a requirement to upgrade the
electrics in their properties and ensure any potential changes implemented by tenants unsupervised
and outside of regulations can be rectified. If they fail to action the work, they can incur fines of up to
£30k.
There is a need for properties to be legally compliant, however, landlords also need to look into
the future where electrics will play an even bigger role in our homes.

1 - HMRC 2021 https://thenegotiator.co.uk/exclusive-government-reveals-where-all-the-landlords-live-in-the-uk/

2 - Committee on Climate Change 2019 https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/UK-housing-Fit-for-the-future-CCC-2019.pdf

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Evolving Regulation and Legislation

Renovation
Cutting corners and costs when it comes to electrical work, or even finding out tenants have
done their own work, can lead to inefficient and unstable electrics.

A simple change or upgrade, like changing a light switch or adding an outdoor socket, may
seem like a ‘small’ alteration and could be electrically and mechanically sound in isolation,
but could jeopardise the safety and security of the entire home’s electrical systems.

All rented property needs an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - a current
electrical certificate showing the property has been tested within the past 5 years, was
deemed safe and met the required standard at the time it was tested. This report must be
undertaken by a certified electrician. In some cases, obtaining an EICR means there is a
need to upgrade the electrics in properties to meet standards.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/
guide-for-tenants-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Evolving Regulations and Legislation

Requirements for electrical installations
Regulations have changed. There are now further
implications due to recent amendments to the 18th Edition on
electrical installation (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022). Although not a
statutory document, BS 7671 sets the standards for how low
voltage (domestic) electrical installations should be designed,
installed and tested in the UK, is compliant with the law.
Amendment 2 will be enforced from 28th September 2022
which means new considerations must be made on new
electrical installations that focus on improved safety and
protection for tenants. These include protection against
transient over voltages and the need for Arc Fault Detection
Devices (AFDDs) which reduce risk of serious injury or loss of
life, and significant financial or data loss.
The evolution of the prosumer
It is also important to future proof as the use of fossil
fuels for heating is being replaced by greener electrical
heating systems, and as petrol/diesel powered cars are
replaced by EVs our homes will become the main place
for charging.
Amendment 2 also addresses the needs of a Prosumer’s
Electrical Installation (PEI) to achieve compatibility with A full breakdown of
both existing and new ways to deliver electrical energy. amendments to BS 7671 can
Your electrical engineer should be aware of all the be found in Schneider's 18th
Edition Amendment 2 Guide.
relevant regulations. You can refer them to our 18th Edition
Amendment 2 guide for a full breakdown of amendments
to BS 7671. Download e-Book

What is a Prosumer? A prosumer, in this context, is someone who both produces and consumes energy. For example, having solar panels on
your home to produce your own energy supply.

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

The need for change

Demands on our homes electrical installations are

Sustainability Resilience
changing.

People are spending more time working from home

and the increased adoption of EVs means domestic
energy consumption has risen significantly.

In parallel to this increased demand, the UK

government has set the world’s most ambitious
climate change targets, aiming to be net zero
by 2050. This will no doubt drive technological
advances in our homes to meet sustainability goals
and electrical installations must adapt too. Efficiency Personalisation
There are several key trends driving the need for
change in our homes: sustainability, resilience,
efficiency and personalisation.

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

The need for change

Sustainability Resilience Efficiency Personalisation

Housing is one of the The safety of a home’s electrical When homes become With people spending
world’s biggest polluters, system is imperative. If a more efficient, their energy more time at home, they
responsible for up to 21% of home is not up to regulatory consumption is reduced, need their space to fit their
CO2 emissions (4). There standards, it can lead to cutting costs, and reducing needs and adapt to their
is a clear need for homes to electrical fires that have been strain on the grid. With the requirements. More than
become more sustainable and responsible for over £100 cost of energy rising rapidly, 20% of the workforce could
reduce their carbon footprint million in damage to private paired with a more than 70% work remotely three to five
to meet ambitious, national property in the UK (5). The increase in electricity bills days a week, so having the
sustainability targets. New resiliency of the grid itself is from EVs, electric cooking ability to create a comfortable
technologies are changing the also a factor, and how robustly it and heating, energy efficiency living/working experience is
way we use our homes and can handle increased demand, in homes is more attractive paramount to take advantage
helping us to monitor energy with a threat of power cuts if the to buyers or renters to save of working from home.
consumption more effectively. relationship between supply and money.
demand isn't closely aligned.

4 - United Nations https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/

5 - Electrical Safety First https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/1592/fire-factsheet.pdf
6 - McKinsey https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/whats-next-for-remote-work-an-analysis-of-2000-tasks-800-jobs-and-nine-countries

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources

What Landlords Need to Do
Assessing the electrics in your
rental property goes further
than simply meeting legal
requirements - it is a necessary
action to minimise the financial
impact of making costly, major
changes in the future and ensure
the safety and well-being of your
tenants.
Landlords in the Private Rented
Sector (PRS) must ensure every
electrical installation in their
residential premises is inspected
and tested at intervals of no
more than 5 years by a qualified
professional. Here’s what you
need to do:
Introduction Evolving regulations
and legislation
Landlord Checklist
Contact a qualified Electrician affiliated to one of
the recognised trade bodies (i.e. NICEIC / NAPIT), to
undertake the electrical installation inspection.
Carry out an Electrical Installation Condition
Report (EICR) - This inspection and testing of the
electrical installation submits the infrastructure to
several live and dead tests to highlight any issues.
Identified non-conformities are noted - If the nature
of the non-conformity is deemed to have a significant
risk to life or is dangerous, then the circuit must be
isolated and not re-energised until it has been rectified.
Minor non-compliances are graded and
addressed to on a case-by-case basis. If the
electrical installation report is unsatisfactory any
required remedial work or further investigation must be
carried out within 28 days.
The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary
change need to do your options?
Life is On | Schneider Electric
Completed report – A copy of the report is given
to the landlord and all tenants, with one copy made
available for the next inspection and one retained by
the electrician carrying out the works.
Meeting of Compliancy - Once the installation is
brought up to standard, the issued certificate is valid
for a period of 5 years.
Further considerations - While covered for 5 years
you should consider scheduling or planning for
regular electrical maintenance works to ensure the
safety of your tenants and maintain the value of your
asset.
Additional
Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

What Are Your Options?

Most UK residential homes are Split Load Boards

served by a 230V power supply. Split load boards offer a cost-effective method of providing
Power is distributed to each RCD protection by grouping circuits together and protecting
circuit by a consumer unit. These them with one RCD. This is often achieved by combining
come in three main designs upstairs lights and downstairs sockets on one RCD and vice
- split load, high integrity and versa, meaning that if one RCD trips, the other still functions.
RCBO configuration (residual Split load boards have been the go-to standard for years,
current circuit breakers with however recent recommendations are driving changes to
overcurrent protection). more resilient systems.
High Integrity
High integrity can provide more resilience. It allows the
installation of one or more RCBOs before the first RCD.
These high integrity ways are not affected by the actions of
the downstream RCD.

https://www.se.com/uk/en/work/products/product-launch/easy9/

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

What Are Your Options?

RCBO (Residual current circuit breakers with overcurrent protection)

An RCBO configurated board provides more resilience as each individual
circuit is protected by not only its own MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) but a
combined MCB and RCD called an RCBO. Due to the increased popularity
of RCBO configurations, what used to be seen as a more expensive option
is now becoming much more cost effective.

RCBO Configured Board

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

How We Can Help

To assist your decision on what will meet the requirements of your building, Schneider Electric has an
extensive range of enclosures/consumer units.
Easy9 Compact
Easy9 is the ideal choice for a compact, reliable, and fully flexible solution. It provides the ability to
choose from any of the previously explained configurations, or a bespoke configuration, as required
by your building, all in compliance with BS 7671.

Features and Benefits

• Compact size for renovation, rewires and • Incomer position on left or right
upgrades – ideal in restricted spaces
• Removable DIN rail for wiring
• Customisable for RCBO or split load
• Multiple cable entries
configuration

Learn more

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

How We Can Help

Easy9 Compact Multirow

Multirow Features and Benefits
To allow for increasing demand and the rise of
the prosumer, a flexible and modular consumer • Flexibility in device
unit should be considered to provide more configurations
space for the evolution of residential circuit
protection and home automation – leading to • Easy to install with dedicated
more efficient housing. comb busbar for different
configurations
Easy9 Compact Multirow is flexible in both
two and three-row options, offering 24 or 36 • Suitable for AFDD and larger
modules, to house an array of standard circuit installations
protection and home energy management
devices helping you to remain compliant to • Multiple cable entry
BS EN 61439-3 and BS 7671. knockouts

• Ample cable space for easy Download catalogue

connection to devices

https://electrical.theiet.org/bs-7671/

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources

How We Can Help
To assist in meeting the
requirements of certain
buildings, Schneider Electric
has a complaint range of circuit
protection devices.
Protection Devices
In an electrical installation,
several different types of
protective devices may be used
to disconnect dangerous fault
currents or over voltages which
could cause harm to persons or
property.
Introduction Evolving regulations
and legislation
Life is On | Schneider Electric
Protection Devices
• Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) - AFDDs
protect and disconnect the supply under dangerous
arc fault conditions. Some devices are combined
with an RCBO to provide an even higher level of
protection.
• Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) - SPDs are
designed to drive dangerous overvoltage from
indirect lightning strikes to earth, protecting sensitive
electronic equipment.
• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) - RCDs are
installed within an electrical system to provide
protection against electric shock from earth leakage
and against risk of fire.
The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Summary

Electrical installations have never been under so much scrutiny, and failure to
take action could result in risking tenant safety, legal issues and hefty fines.

Now is the time for landlords to act. If disaster strikes, landlords are accountable
so making electrical systems safe is paramount. Ensuring that you comply with
legislation and provide safe electrical systems in your homes has a direct impact
on tenant wellbeing and the protection of property, as well as giving you peace
of mind.

We can see homes of the future coming to fruition, with new builds starting to
have multi-row installations included as standard. Landlords must keep up with
these new requirements to remain competitive in the housing market and future-
proof their properties.

By 2025 there will be no more gas boilers in new build homes, and it is expected
a ban on the sale of new gas boilers will take effect in 2035, and by 2030 no
new petrol and diesel cars will be for sale. Electric vehicles, heating and cooking
are the future, and you must act now to ensure that your properties meet these
increased demands.

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Additional Resources for Landlords

Electrician Partner Locator Easy9 Webpage

Contact Visit

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
 Life is On | Schneider Electric

Additional Resources for Landlords

18th Edition Amendment Easy9 Range Catalogue Homes of the Future

2 Guide

Download Download Download

Introduction Evolving regulations The need for What landlords What are How we can help Summary Additional
and legislation change need to do your options? Resources
To learn more information about
Schneider Electric visit

se.com/uk

Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric, 2nd Floor,
80 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5J
Tel : 0870 608 8608

© 2022 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Life Is On | Schneider Electric and EcoStruxure are
trademarks and the property of Schneider Electric SE, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies.
SE11817 | EDMS Ref: 22565450