Landlords Electrical Inspections & Certificates

EICR

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Landlord’s Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)
Issued by NICEIC registered electricians

Call – 0800 135 7056

TM Hughes & Son Electrical services are a team of electricians with NICEIC domestic installer certification.

We undertake landlord electrical inspections and issue the relevant certification (EICR) EICRs are compulsory for landlords who rent out properties; they are optional for homeowners and useful for home buyers and sellers.

EICR Certificates

An Electrician can visit your property at a pre-agreed time to undertake the electrical inspection. Electrical inspections take from 1-4 hours, depending on the size of the property being inspected.

During the inspection, every part of your electrical system is inspected and tested for decay and damage and faults, all of which present a danger to your tenants. During the inspection, the following components are checked and tested.

Consumer Unit – The consumer unit is responsible for powering your sockets, lights and appliances and preventing electrocution, overloaded circuits and electrical fires.

RCD, MCB, RCBO Fuses – These fuses are fitted into the consumer unit in the event of a fault they trip, cutting the power supply, an essential safety feature.

Wiring – Wiring’s connected to the consumer unit, carrying the electrical current to all circuits in the home.

Sockets – All sockets and switches are tested for faults and inspected for security and signs of wear.

Lights – The lighting circuit, including fittings and switches, is inspected and tested.

Earthing & Bonding – Used to carry current to earth in the event of a fault.

As every part is inspected and tested, it’s passed, or if there are any issues given a code, the codes represent different levels of fault severity.

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Codes

C1 – The Electrical system is dangerous and not fit for use, requires immediate attention

C2 – A fault that’s a potential danger and hazard should be rectified urgently.

C3 – A non-dangerous, non-essential to repair the fault that the electrician recommends is rectified

The electrician undertaking the inspection will price up any faults. If you want TM Hughes & Son to undertake the repairs, we can do them there and then (if parts are to hand) or come back at a later agreed date.

Once the system has passed, the certificate is written and issued by the electrician. The certificate confirms that your electrical system adheres to the British Standard For Electrical Safety and the latest wiring regulations.

Your property is legal to rent, and your tenants are safe to use the electrical system. Check your landlord’s insurance policy. Most stipulate an EICR as a validation requirement.

Why EICR?

As a landlord, you have a legal duty of care towards your tenants. You must ensure the electrical and gas system (we can arrange CP12 gas certificates also, get in touch for details) is safe for your tenants to use.

By law, you must have an EICR every five years or at the start of each tenancy (whichever comes first). An Electrical Installation Condition Report verifies your electrical system is safe and that you’re renting your property legally. All EICRs must be undertaken by a certified electrician who can adequately test, inspect and sign off the system with the legal certification.

The inspection uncovers any faults that can then be rectified, so the electrical system is safe. You can also prove your electrical system is up to standard to tenants, letting agents and insurers, all of who will ask for a valid EICR before signing up with you or covering you.

It’s recommended homeowners (who live on their property but don’t let it) have an EICR every 10 years to ensure the electrical system is safe, uncover any defects and make repairs if necessary.

If you’re buying a home, you can have an EICR beforehand to establish the electrical system’s condition. If you’re selling your home, you can have an EICR to show buyers the electrical system is ok and won’t be an extra expense for them after purchase.

What’s A VIR?

VIR stands for ‘visual testing & inspection’, a non-essential visual inspection of your electrical system. Some landlords have VIRs in between having EICRs to ensure the electrical system is in order.

An electrician visits your property and visually inspects the consumer unit, sockets, lights, switches, etc., but testing is not performed. Afterwards, a report is written with recommendations for repair or alterations. It’s then up to the landlord to act on those recommendations.

VIRs are optional. Landlords book VIRs periodically (for example, halfway through a tenancy agreement) for extra reassurance that they are not a substitute for EICRs.

VIRs are quick and usually take around an hour

Is PAT Testing A Legal Requirement For Landlords Also?

No PAT testing is not a legal requirement; however, many landlords undertake PAT testing as extra security for the tenants and their properties. PAT stands for ‘Portable Appliance Testing.’

Faulty appliances can potentially damage tenants and damage property PAT testing checks that plug-in portable appliances are safe to use. Appliances such as irons, hairdryers, kettles etc., are inspected and tested, ensuring they are not electrocution or fire risk.

The procedure covers both visual inspection and electrical testing with equipment. The landlord/tenant has the option of repairing or replacing any faulty portable appliances.

To save time and disruption, PAT testing can be undertaken at the same time as an EICR.