Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – Rented Sector Regulations 2022

The landlord must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (“EICR”) available when renting the property to ensure the tenant’s safety. The EICR certification shows that electrical wiring complies with the Electrical Safety Standard 2022 for the Private Rental Industry (England).

From the perspective of English law, the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) reveals potential security risks to property. This document can only be issue by a qualified electrician, inspector or at least an approve contractor.

How does the check work?

As a landlord, it is important to remember that the inspection can only be perform by register electricians. To get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), first go to an electrical inspector and check some areas of the property. Inspections include fuse boxes, bulbs, sockets, grounding, and splicing.

Inspections reveal if there is a potential electrical hazard and ensure that the installation meets the tenant’s safety standards. In addition, qualified inspectors are responsible for looking for potential damage and identifying signs of overload.

What does the inspector inspect your property?

• Possibility of electric shock
• Ensure that electrical installation and wiring comply with safety regulations
• Check electrical equipment compatibility and serviceability
• Track marks on the lack of ground and bonding

Who can issue the certificate?

In the UK, only register or qualified electricians can issue Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The publish document shows what the inspector found and note. Inspectors are require to disclose in their reports all observe details and potential electrical hazards of the property.

If it is found that the property does not meet the security requirements of the tenant. Owners need to take immediate action to eliminate the risks. The Electrical Installation Condition Report shows that the electrical equipment is insufficient or insufficient.

EICR Codes 

C1: This means that the EICR certification is sufficient, but the inspector made some recommendations.

C2: This means that the Electrical Installation Condition Report is insufficient and action must be taken within 28 days.

C3: If the EICR is not satisfactory, take immediate action.

Further investigation is need, but the report is satisfactory.

Does the Owner Need an Electrical Installation Condition Report?

From 1 April 2021, the UK has release new testing requirements for landlords. They must have an electrical certificate at least every 5 years. According to the new electrical test requirements, the landlord must submit a copy of the EICR when a new tenant moves into the home. The landlord must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report to improve the security situation of the tenant.

What part of the house is included?

Homeowners and landlords need to establish an accurate and safe workplace before the inspectors arrive. This increases trust between the two and makes an electrician’s job more comfortable. 

The Safe Desk can assist in the process of inspecting different areas of the home, such as:

• Wall: Electrical box and wiring cable to confirm compatibility with EICR legal equipment.
• Outdoors and near water sources: Inspectors usually go to the GFCI and AFCI to perform a circuit integrity check. GFCI and circuit breakers are inspect by qualified inspectors for compliance with the Electrical Installation Condition Report requirements.

Finally, they look for expose wires and non-IP rate lights in Zone 0, like your bathroom. Lights that are not IP rate should be replace with lights that are rate according to IP.

What about new buildings and new installations?

New buildings are no exception to the new owner testing requirements. Of course, you need to comply with the regulations and have sufficient electrical equipment certification. They must provide the tenant with a copy of the document.

What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?

There is no fix price for using an EICR, as prices can vary due to many factors. For example, the size of the property or the number of circuit breakers. The cost of the EICR can be double if the property has additional consumable units. Another factor to consider before hiring a qualified inspector is the agency’s starting rate, which some electricians charge at a premium.

Your region is also a factor in increasing or decreasing the price of an EICR. For example, if you live in the north of the UK, the cost of an electrical examination is lower than if you live in south London. Although it is not a flat rate, the average EICR starts at 98.99.

What if I don’t obey?

1. UK housing authorities have made it clear that landlords must comply with the new rules relating to the EICR.
2. If the owner deliberately chooses not to comply, there will be some serious penalties and consequences from the authorities.
3. For example, if the owner attempts to violate the EICR in any way, the authorities will take immediate action.
4. Landlords who do not comply with the EICR face fines of up to 30,000.
5. Eight Important Electrical Tips Every Owner Should Know
6. As an owner, you all need electrical checks and make sure you are aware of the new EICR regulations.
7. Make sure you hire a register and qualified electrician for electrical checks and don’t get yourself check.
8. As a landlord, tenant safety is a top priority. Therefore, it is advisable to provide full access to the fuse box in case of an un-expect event or an electrical trip.
9. Speaking of fuse boxes, it is important that the owner has an RCD-protect consumer unit. Residual current devices are effective against electric shock and prevent the risk of fire.

Do not install new devices or equipment prior to the test.

Make sure wiring cables are away from traffic areas such as driveways and doorways. Also, make sure the cable is hidden or away from the furniture. Ensure that electrical wiring and equipment, including new consumables, are up to date.

Landlord Electrical Certificates are a great tool for identifying electrical hazards, but they are only a minimum legal requirement. If you want to improve the security of your property and your tenants, there are many things you can do. As a starting point, visual inspection of electrical installations should be done more often than regulatory directions. Five years is too long to de-identify hardware.

Finally, make sure you have a satisfactory EICR document showing that your property is well-equip and safe for new tenants.