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Why Landlords Need an Electrical Safety Certificate

It is your duty as a landlord ensure that your property's electrical installations meet current safety standards. This can be done by having a professional electrician perform an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).

An EICR is a document by a qualified electrician who gives you a clear overview of your electrical installations at the date of review. It also highlights areas that require work.

What is an EICR?

Landlords who rent out their properties must get an electrical safety electricity test certificate (also known as an EICR). Landlords are required to employ an electrician to conduct an EICR on their property every five years . If they discover any hazardous defects, they must correct them immediately.

An EICR is carried out by an experienced electrician and is designed to be an exhaustive inspection of the electrical installation inside a building. The inspection involves a thorough examination of every circuit to which the inspector has access. It includes a number of visual checks that include lights on sockets, switches and lights. It also involves testing between neutral and live conductors in order to check for danger.

The results of the inspection are written down and assigned a number. This shows how serious the issue is. If the problem is classified as a Code one, the issue needs to be made safe immediately and should not be left unfixed. If the issue is a Code two, it must be addressed within 28 days.

A code three recommendation signifies that the installation is safe and that there is no further work required. An EICR report must be kept secure and might be required to be handed over to local authorities or insurance providers when requested.

Landlords and homeowners can benefit from an EICR. It will save them time and money if it is done prior to selling their property or rent out the building. Potential tenants will feel more comfortable buying or electrical renting a property when they are confident that the electrics are up-to-standard.

When it comes to the cost, an EICR can vary significantly depending on the size of the property as well as the amount of work required. Generally, a smaller property will cost less than a larger one with more outbuildings and consumer units.

Anyone who wants to make sure that their home is in compliance with current UK electrical regulations should have an EICR done. It is important to remember that this is only an obligation in certain homes, not all.

What is an EICR Report?

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) are a crucial part of ensuring that all electrical installations within a building are safe for use. No matter if you are a homeowner or landlord an electrician must check your electrical system to make sure that it meets the current safety standards.

An EICR provides a description of the electrical system and includes all tests, including RCD testing. The report is designed to identify any wiring issues within your home and give you an idea of what should be done in order to ensure its safety.

It is recommended that your electrical system be tested and inspected at least every three to four times per years, based on your property. This will help you determine if any environmental conditions or changes to the usage have caused any damage to your electrical system.

It is also important to conduct an EICR on properties that have experienced major damage such as fire or flood damage in order to determine the extent of the damage and determine any issues which could be affecting the electrical system. It is important to complete the work quickly to avoid further damage to your electrical system or safeguard your tenants and yourself from dangers that could be a threat to your tenants.

The landlord must ensure that the electrical system is secure in order to comply with all legal guidelines. This can mean avoiding heavy fines and penalties. An EICR allows landlords to easily show that they are in compliance and have followed the correct procedures when letting their property.

In addition to demonstrating that the electrical system in the property is secure, an EICR can be a great tool for helping you sell your house as it can show prospective buyers that the electrical systems are safe to use. This can help speed up the selling process and reduce potential problems for buyers in the event that electrical equipment is damaged.

How do I get an EICR?

An EICR is a proof that confirms that the electrical installation on a property is tested and inspected by a skilled person (like a electrician). It is essential to get an EICR done quickly otherwise you could be penalized with fines.

It is simple to obtain an EICR. Just book an appointment with an experienced electrician, and they will come out to your residence to carry out the inspection. This could take anywhere from 3-4 hours, depending on the dimensions of your property and how many circuits are being tested.

The electrician will inspect your property and then write an inspection report that details the condition of your electrical system. The report must be sent to both you and your tenant to keep documentation.

You will also need to arrange any repairs that have been highlighted in the EICR and you should complete it within 28 days, unless another time period is specified. It is your responsibility to provide written proof that this work has been completed to both the tenant and the local authority.

As well as being an obligation for landlords and tenants, an EICR can also be recommended when you are selling your property. This is because it can be beneficial to show prospective buyers that the electrical safety certificates system within the home is safe and will not cause any problems.

It is important to keep in mind that electrical installations deteriorate with time and can be damaged. It is crucial to have an EICR performed each year, even if your property has been in use for a long time.

Landlords must get an EICR done as soon possible particularly if they are renting their property for the first-time. You could be held liable in the event that your tenants are injured due to the unsafe electrical systems in your property.

Why do I require an EICR?

It doesn't matter if you are a homeowner, landlord or business owner, it's vital to regularly check your electrical installation. This is because electrical wiring could be damaged over time, and could result in dangerous shorts or fires.

Achieving an EICR completed is crucial to ensure that you are fully complying with all your legal obligations. It will give you peace mind. It's a great way for your employees and customers to be protected from electric shock and electrical fire.

An electrician qualified in conducting an EICR will examine your property. They will disconnect all electrical circuits from the mains supply and assess them for safety and compliance. After the inspection is completed they will issue an EICR report detailing any deterioration or problems and recommend what they think needs to be done to correct them.

There are three different codes that the EICR will show with, if the report contains any of these codes you'll need to act fast to be safe from danger. If an electrician sees C1 codes on your report, it's evident that there is a risk to your property and needs to be rectified immediately.

If the EICR shows a C2 code, it's similar to a C1 code. You must immediately ensure the safety of your area before the electrician returns. An electrician will provide an estimate for any work required to make your installation safer.

If the report indicates an FI Code, it is another sign that you need to take steps to improve your installation. In this instance you'll need an electrician to conduct an assessment and repair the faulty installation within 28 days or a shorter time when specified in the report.

You must always request an EICR to be completed before you lease your property again as it is an obligation of law for all properties in England and Wales. This is because it's an insurance policy for your tenants and you can be prosecuted should your property have an electrical instalation certificate system that is not up to par and could result in harm to them.