Electrical Installation Condition Report
What is an EICR?
The EICR, or Electrical Inspection Condition Report, is an in-depth inspection of your property’s electrical systems and installation. The inspection is to assess and identify any condition, deterioration or defect which has the potential to result in danger.
In this report, all the electrical systems and installations present in residential or commercial buildings are thoroughly inspected.
What are the legal implications?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
New government legislation states that landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The Regulations also state that a landlord is required to obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test, supply it to each tenant within 28 days and retain a copy until the next inspection is due.
1st July 2020 – Rule applies to new tenancies – As of this date, a landlord must supply a tenant with a satisfactory EICR Report prior to the commencement of the tenancy.
1st April 2021 – Rule applies to all existing tenancies – A landlord must supply any current tenants with a copy of a satisfactory EICR report.
Complete EPC has been conducting periodic tests for long enough to know all the critical areas that need to be tested. Under our supervisions a successful test will uncover:-
- Any circuits or equipment’s that are dangerously overloaded.
- Potential risks of electrical shocks and fires.
- Faulty electrical work (if any)
- If there is an absence of any earthing or bonding were needed.
What do the codes mean?
The EICR assesses the competency of your electrics by three categories. The Electrical Installation Condition Report is not a simple pass or fail, so much as an informative record of all your electrical equipment and circuits and whether the system is at a safety risk. The three categories are as follows:
- C1 – There is a danger present, risk of injury and will need immediate attention and remedial action.
- C2 – There is potential danger and advises urgent attention and remedial action.
- C3 – That there is no danger but an improvement of the electrical system is recommended.
It is our recommendation that you get your home checked for electrical safety every 10 years if it is an owner occupied home or every 5 years if it is a rented home. If you live in a caravan then you should get the periodic inspection done every 3 years. If you live in a home that has swimming pool, it will require an individual Electrical Installation Condition Report — EICR which will be valid for only one year.
Considering the sensitive nature of periodic inspections, Complete EPC has employed only certified and properly trained staff to inspect the electrical condition of your home. Once our staff has explored all the necessary areas of your home you will be assigned Electrical Installation Condition Report — EICR detailing their complete findings. You can also trust any reports presented to you, by landlord for example, which were made by Complete EPC because our reports are famous for portraying the true condition of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tested in an EICR?
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) identifies any damage, deterioration, defects and/or conditions which may give rise to danger along with observations for which improvement is recommended.
Is it a legal requirement to have an EICR?
The Law around the EICR has now changed and will come into effect in July 2020. There will a legal onus on all landlords to have a electrical installation condition report in place. The government have also laid down the law that all existing tenancies will require a EICR report by April 2021.
Who can carry out a EICR?
It is the landlords responsibility to organise an EICR and to carry them out either every 5 years and at the start of each tenancy. You must be able to show proof that it has been carried out by a registered electrician.
Is an electrical installation certificate the same as an EICR?
The terms period inspection and fixed wire testing have now been replaced by the new term Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), although essentially, they all mean the same thing.
How long does an EICR test take?
It is generally recommended that an EICR is carried out every ten years (five for privately rented properties) or when there is a change of occupancy in a dwelling. Typically an EICR will take around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on the size of a property and the number of circuits requiring testing.
How long is an EICR valid for?
Properties that already have a valid electrical installation condition report (EICR) will not need to replace it until five years have passed since it was issued. Agents must ensure that any inspectors hired to issue an EICR hold the correct qualifications and are competent to carry out the inspection.
What does an EICR cover?
An EICR is an inspection on the condition of an existing electrical installation, to identify (in order of priority) any deficiencies against the national safety standard for electrical installations. Tests are also carried out on wiring and associated fixed electrical equipment to check that it is safe.
PAT testing compulsory for landlords?
The Government is planning to review this, there are no current legal requirements for landlords to conduct PAT tests. However, there are product safety regulations which provide that items in rented properties need to be in a safe condition.
Is the landlord responsible for electrical problems?
The landlord is responsible for any electric, water or gas problems, as well any repairs to the building’s doors, windows, ceilings and roofing. Generally, landlords are responsible, unless the property damage was inflicted by the tenants.
