Do you know what proportion of your homes have had an electrical safety check in the past five years?

That’s the question you need to be ready for. It will be a legal requirement that all your homes will have had a check in the last 5 years by May 2026 and it’s what the Regulator of Social Housing asks when checking compliance with the Safety and Quality standard.

Electrical safety is important and high up on the agenda. The Regulator of Social Housing is concerned about it. It features in many of the C3 ratings and underperformance in electrical safety has resulted in a number of self-referrals.

The government has just laid the regulations to require all social housing landlords to have improved electrical safety for all new tenancies from November 2025 and May 2026 for existing tenancies.

The new electrical safety regulations, will ensure electrical safety checks are carried out at least every five years in the social rented sector. Although this was already considered good practice, not every organisation is fully compliant and there is no time to lose to ensure compliance in less than a year for all your homes.

This masterclass takes a look at what is required – what landlords must do to bring their electrical safety procedures under the same robust regime as gas safety inspections.

• The legislation – current and new
• Good practice
• Getting the basics right – becoming and staying compliant
• Compliance – how to stay on top of your programme
• Data and record keeping
• Gaining access to tenants’ homes – especially without the legal duty to check every five years.

This workshop is essential for everyone involved in and with responsibility for electrical safety in homes and communal areas. For inspection, maintenance and compliance.

What will be covered:

• An update on the latest regulation – the latest case law affecting you, including information and advice on the issue of no-access: injunction, EPA and forced entry
• Effective working with your contractor/DLO – making the relationship deliver what you need
• Are your policies, procedures and systems up to date? The main issues and a checklist of what you should be doing
• Data and record keeping – the essentials
• Key performance indicators, monitoring and reporting arrangements – what, where and when?
• Managing and mitigating your risks and disaster recovery – effective planning for the future.

Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

Kevin has worked in social housing for both the local government and housing associations for over 25 years, specialising in housing maintenance and stock investment issues.

Kevin has been a HQN Associate for over 14 years, providing advice and support to many housing organisations.

He has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of operational delivery and strategic asset management in the sector. He regularly carries out reviews of gas servicing and maintenance for organisations. He also has in-depth knowledge of service delivery and best practice in the sector delivered by in-house/DLO contractors and out-sourced arrangements.

Kevin is also one of HQN’s key accreditation assessors specialising in HQN: DLO and HQN: gas repairs and asset management accreditations. He is also one of HQN’s trainers responsible for contract management and procurement.

Kevin has carried out upwards of 120 service reviews and similar in-depth assessments of repairs and maintenance services for HQN clients, including a large number of gas servicing and maintenance reviews for organisations with both in-house contractors or outsourced and hybrid arrangements.

Saj Ahmed, Mechanical and Electrical Manager, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group

Saj Ahmed is the Electrical Manager at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group in Manchester. With extensive experience in electrical engineering and management, he oversees maintenance and safety of electrical systems across the housing group’s properties, ensuring reliable and efficient service for residents. His leadership contributes significantly to customer well-being.

Neil Holden, Consultant Engineer, Certsure

Ivan Brooke, Health and Safety Consultant, Birketts

10:30am Welcome and introductions

• Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

10:40am RSH expectations and learning from non-compliance

• Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

11:10am The new regulations for social housing

• Ivan Brooke, Health and Safety Consultant, Birketts

11:40am Break

12:00pm Ensuring compliance – insight from third party audits

• Neil Holden, Consultant Engineer, Certsure

12:30pm Case study

• Saj Ahmed, Mechanical and Electrical Manager, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group

1:00pm Close

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected].

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.