Do you need the condition of your electrics inspected? If you’re a homeowner, business or landlord, you may need an EICR to confirm whether each element of the system is safe, as well as recommendations of any remedial action required. Here are a few things to expect when your electrics undergo this type of investigation.
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an assessment carried out by a qualified professional. They’ll look at the safety of your property’s electrical system and whether it complies with up to date UK regulations.
Over time, electrics can deteriorate, so it’s vital you ask a reputable electrician to test the system. An EICR will assess multiple elements, including electrical circuits, consumer units (fuse boards), lighting, power sockets, supply characteristics and earthing arrangements. The final report will state whether the assessed electrical installations are safe or require immediate improvements, including how quickly action needs to be taken.
When you book any electrical installation tests, the EICR should only be completed by a qualified contractor, registered with a Government approved body, such as NICEIC, Elecsa or Napit.
Understanding Electrical Condition Report Codes
After the periodic inspection is carried out, your electrical contractor will produce a Condition Report. This will show whether your electrics have passed or failed the assessment. If any part of your electrics have failed the tests, the report will also outline the safety issues, how dangerous the findings are and recommended actions to bring the system up to the required safety standards.
Codes indicating an unsatisfactory assessment include:
- Code 1 (C1) – for dangerous installations that require emergency electrical repairs or remedial work
- Code 2 (C2) – for potentially dangerous installations that need urgent action
- Code F1 – when further investigations are needed without delay
You may also see a Code 3 (C3), which indicates improvements recommended that may not be urgent.
Landlord EICRs
All landlords in the private tenancy sector are now required by law to have an EICR completed at their properties. The rule changes came into effect on 1st June 2020. New tenancies must be inspected and tested from 1st July 2020 and existing tenancies by 1st April 2021. Before this time, landlords were advised to have this type of electrical test carried out, but it wasn’t a legal obligation. This has now changed, ensuring that electrical systems in landlord owned properties meet the relevant safety standards for tenants.
An EICR should be repeated as frequently as the approved contractor states in the report, depending on the type of tenancy and condition of the property and electrics. Inspections usually take place between 1 to 5 years apart. The EICR should only be carried out by a qualified and approved electrician, and all private rental properties have to be inspected again at the end of their term.
A copy of the electrical condition report must be provided to existing tenants, new tenants and your Local Housing Authority if they request it. If there are any remedial actions needed, these must be completed within 28 days or earlier as specified by the report.
If you’d like to know more about the new Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, take a look at the legislation here.