Scottish landlord electrical safety checklist

Before the property is first let

1. Arrange inspection and testing of the fixed installation by a suitably competent person.
2. Arrange in-service inspection and testing of landlord-provided electrical equipment.
3. Confirm one or more RCDs rated no more than 30 mA are installed in the principal consumer unit.
4. Install Scotland’s required interlinked smoke and heat alarms.
5. Provide compliant CO detection in living-accommodation rooms containing a fixed carbon-fuelled appliance or flue.
6. Complete remedial work and retain its certification.
7. Give the tenant copies of the electrical safety inspection and clear fault-reporting instructions.

Check the EICR properly

• Property address and extent of inspection are correct.
• The report is complete, signed and has all schedules.
• The overall assessment and next-inspection date are clear.
• C1, C2 and FI observations have been resolved with evidence.
• C3 recommendations are understood and planned where appropriate.
• Limitations do not hide material parts of the installation.

Scottish inspections are required at intervals of no more than five years. Follow an earlier date stated by the report or arrange reassessment after significant changes, damage or persistent faults.

Check landlord-provided appliances

• Maintain an inventory with item identity and location.
• Inspect plugs, cables, casings and controls for damage.
• Record inspection and electrical test results.
• Remove failed equipment from use promptly.
• Update the inventory when items are replaced or removed.

Alarm checklist

• Smoke alarm in the living room or room used most.
• Smoke alarm in each hall and landing.
• Heat alarm in the kitchen.
• All fire alarms ceiling mounted and interlinked.
• CO detector in each applicable appliance or flue room.
• Devices within their replacement date and tested according to instructions.
• More extensive HMO, fire-risk or building-standard requirements addressed.

During the tenancy

1. Provide a simple route for reporting electrical faults.
2. Treat burning smells, heat, arcing, exposed conductors and electric shocks as urgent.
3. Investigate repeated RCD tripping rather than repeatedly resetting or bypassing it.
4. Use competent contractors and retain certificates.
5. Track EICR, PAT, alarm and licence dates separately.
6. Document access attempts where inspection or repair is required.

At every tenancy changeover

• Review whether the current EICR remains valid and relevant.
• Look for broken accessories, scorch marks, loose fittings and damaged cables.
• Check the consumer unit is secure, labelled and unobstructed.
• Test alarms following manufacturer instructions.
• Check landlord appliance inventory and condition.
• Review tenant alterations or contractor work.
• Resolve reported faults and update handover records.

A new EICR is not automatically required at every changeover when a current report remains valid, but visible damage, alterations, recommendations or uncertainty may justify earlier inspection.

Extra checks for HMOs and managed buildings

• Read the actual licence conditions and council inspection list.
• Coordinate EICR and PAT evidence with fire-risk requirements.
• Maintain any fire-alarm and emergency-lighting systems.
• Inspect communal rooms, stairs, stores and escape routes.
• Keep monthly and annual emergency-lighting records where a system is provided.

Records to keep for each property

• Current and previous EICRs.
• PAT inventories and results.
• Electrical Installation and Minor Works Certificates.
• Evidence closing report observations.
• Alarm installation, test and replacement information.
• Emergency-lighting and fire-alarm records where applicable.
• Fault reports, appointments, access attempts and repair invoices.
• HMO licence conditions and inspection correspondence.

When to arrange urgent help

Isolate equipment or affected circuits safely and seek competent help for electric shocks, smoke or burning, exposed live parts, water entering electrical equipment, severe damage, a C1 finding, or protection that will not remain safely energised. Call emergency services where there is fire or immediate danger.

Detailed guides

• EICRs for Scottish landlords
• PAT testing
• Smoke and heat alarms
• Carbon-monoxide alarms
• RCD protection
• HMO electrical safety
• Unsatisfactory EICRs

General information only, not legal advice. Apply the current report, manufacturer instructions, licence conditions and property-specific professional advice.