What is an EICR?
The Electrical Inspection Condition Report, or Electrical Safety Certificate, is the inspection of an electrical system and installation. The inspection has been brought to improve health and safety and is designed to assess the condition of the system and identify any defects which have the potential to be dangerous.
What are the legal requirements?
The regulations in relation to electrical reports have changed recently so it is vital to be aware of the changes and ensure you are fully compliant. The most recent changes coming into force on 1st June 2020, so landlords seeking to privately let their property, now require an Electrical Safety Certificate.
If you are a landlord looking to start a new tenancy or renew an existing one, you must now produce a ‘satisfactory’ electrical report before the tenants can move in. For those with tenants already in place, then you have until 1 April 2021 in order to provide a valid report.
Currently, private homeowners are not legally obliged to have one, however, it is recommended for both your good health and safety, as well as peace of mind.
Who is qualified to carry out the report?
Before booking an electrical safety certificate, you must ensure that the person is fully qualified. The inspection must be carried out by a qualified electrician who is registered with approved scheme providers. This ensures their compliance with IET 18th Edition which is the latest safety standard in the sector.
Some of the most commonly recognised accreditation bodies in the UK are Elecsa, Napit, Stroma and NICEIC. It is recommended that you ask the contractor which scheme they are approved with before allowing a contractor to start work on your property. For further peace of mind, you can verify their credentials on the website of the accrediting body.
How long does the inspection take?
Typically this will depend on the size of the property and the number of circuits in the system. Smaller properties can take approximately 60-90 minutes. Larger properties can take a lot longer, sometimes as much as 4-5 hours. If the installation is complex, or if the electrician discovers any issues, the length of the inspection can be extended.
How long are EICRs valid for?
The current guidelines recommend that private homeowners have the report renewed every ten years. For landlords, current legislation states that the report is valid for five years.
Can you fail the inspection?
Yes you can. If you wish to move tenants into a property, it must be issued with a ‘satisfactory’ report. In older properties, there may be some elements that do not conform to the current standards. If this is the case, the electrical engineer will duly note which part of your installation does not meet the standard and why.
The faults in the system will be marked using these codes;
- C1 – ‘danger is present’, risk of injury is likely and immediate action is required.
- C2 – potentially dangerous and remedial action is needed urgently.
- C3* – improvement of your electrical system is recommended. *A C3 is the only code that can appear on a report and still pass the test.
What happens if I fail?
If the property does not yield a ‘satisfactory’ report then you have 28 days to address the issues, have any remedial works carried out and a new electrical safety certificate issued. Upon issue of the new certificate, you have a further 28 days to provide it to the tenants.
What does an EICR cost?
Prices for an electrical safety certificate vary depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits within the installation.
Can I get a discount for multiple bookings?
Absolutely. MyConstructor is highly experienced in dealing with managing agents, estate agents and multi property landlords. Your time is valuable and we recognise the appeal of using one company for all your maintenance needs – we reflect that in our pricing for block bookings.
Simply get in touch, let us know the number of properties you need to book, the number of bedrooms and we will come back to you with even better rates than listed! We can even liaise with your agents or tenants to arrange access.
Where can I book an electrical safety certificate?
MyConstructor is a price comparison booking platform providing you with access to a countrywide network of fully qualified electricians. The competitive marketplace nature of the website encourages our engineers to offer you their best possible rates in order to win your business! You can book online anytime, 24/7, just click here, enter the postcode, number of bedrooms and then view a selection of qualified local electricians. You can also read genuine customer reviews and view availability so you can book the most convenient time.