Sources checked · Applies to England; Nottingham City Council
The national rules
HMOs are covered by the 2020 electrical safety regulations: an EICR at least every five years, copies to every tenant, and remedial work within 28 days. The older five-yearly test rule in the HMO management regulations was removed in June 2020 (legislation.gov.uk).
Nottingham HMO licensing
Nottingham City Council's additional licensing scheme has covered the whole city since January 2024. The council's HMO licensing handbook lists the documents for an application, including:
- an EICR (or an Electrical Installation Certificate for a new installation);
- PAT test records for appliances you supply;
- a fire alarm test certificate;
- an emergency lighting test certificate, if the property has emergency lighting;
- a fire risk assessment, where applicable.
The licence conditions (June 2024) require the installation and appliances to be kept safe, fire alarms and emergency lighting to be tested and serviced to the current British Standards, and records to be supplied to the council within 28 days of a request. The conditions don't set test intervals themselves.
Selective licensing
Nottingham also runs a selective licensing scheme for non-HMO rented homes in a designated area, from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2028. We haven't confirmed which electrical documents a selective licence application asks for, so check with the council.
Fire alarms and emergency lighting
These are separate systems from the fixed wiring, with their own British Standards: BS 5839-6 for alarms in most HMOs, BS 5839-1 for larger systems, and BS 5266-1 for emergency lighting. We can test them at the same visit as the EICR.
Keeping it organised
Each licence renewal and inspection needs the latest documents to hand. Your account with us keeps every report and certificate together, with reminders before each one is due.