An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or more commonly known as an Electrical Report. Electrical installations deteriorate as they age, resulting in an increased risk of potentially dangerous hazards.
The EICR exists to ensure that all electrical installations are safe, reliable and operate as efficiently as possible. Here are some commonly asked questions regarding EICR’s, answered by the team at NSI.
1. What does an EICR check involve?
An EICR is an in-depth check of all the electrical circuits in a property.
Your fully qualified NSI electrician will complete a visual inspection and perform tests on installations to confirm that everything is functioning safely. This check highlights any potential electrical dangers such as deterioration, defects, damage, or non-compliances with current safety standards.
If the electrician identifies any potentially hazardous defects, they will note this in the report and advise the landlord of any required work to remedy the issue. The certificate will also list the date by which the next inspection is due.
2. Is an EICR a legal requirement?
EICR’s are required by law on all domestic rental properties as of 1st April 2021. These arrangements are as follows:
- Any property that has a new rental agreement commencing from the 1st of July 2020 must have a valid certificate supplied to each tenant within 28 days.
- Any existing/long term tenancies that do not have a valid electrical safety certificate should have had one by 1st April 2021.
3. Do you need an EICR to sell a house?
The law requires you to have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) if you have had any ‘notifiable’ electrical works carried out on your home since 2005.
Obtaining an EICR certificate can provide a potential buyer peace of mind that the electrics are safe and having all the documentation to hand can speed up the selling process! Speedy sales sound good to us!
4. How often does an EICR need to be done?
As per current legal changes, your letting property will have required a valid EICR by April 2021. If it does have an existing EICR, it should tell you clearly on a notice on your fuse board when your next inspection is due.
Generally, for domestic installations in good condition, an EICR is recommended at least once every ten years for homeowners and is mandatory at least once every 5 years for private rentals.
5. What happens if a property fails an EICR?
The regulations are clear that any breach of safety standards identified by the attending electrician must be further investigated or remedied by a qualified person.
The landlord is obligated to complete the necessary works within 28 days of receiving the report or within a shorter timeframe if directly specified as necessary by the inspector in the report.
The landlord must then provide confirmation in writing of the completion of the corrective works from the electrician to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completion.
If the outcome of any further investigative work dictates there is more investigative or remedial work required, then the above process must be repeated until electrical safety standards are satisfied.
How Much Does an Electrical Condition Report Cost?
Prices for an EICR certificate start from just £150 + VAT (*location dependant). You can find out more about our pricing for EICR’s by clicking here.
Our NSI electricians offer the most efficient and professional service. Just check out our 900+ 4.9-star reviews!
If you’re a landlord looking to make sure the property you’re letting is completely safe and compliant with legal requirements, contact National Safety Inspections to arrange a comprehensive EICR today.