Things You Need to Know About EICR

The first thing that you must know about the EICR or electrical installation condition certificate is that it is a legal requirement for landlords in the UK. Whether you own houses in multiple occupations (HMO) or commercial buildings, it is your duty to get an EICR for landlords. If you fail to adhere to the standards and regulations, you may face criminal charges, be imprisoned, or required to pay a fine.

Wondering what an EICR is and what it’s for? Here’s everything you need to know about this requirement:

1.      EICR reveals the current state of your electrical installations      

An electrician can only issue an EICR after doing a thorough evaluation and inspection of your property. The report provides you with detailed assessments and insights on the current health and integrity of your property's electrical system. It shows whether your electrical work conforms to applicable safety standards or not, if there are problems that need immediate action, and if there are potential issues that need urgent attention. The information you will get from the report is crucial as it will guide you on your next steps.

2. Electrical inspections must be carried out periodically    

Another thing that you must understand is that your electrical testing certificates and EICR reports must be renewed every five years for both domestic and commercial tenanted properties. If you have a swimming pool on the premises, then inspections should be carried out every year.

3. Scotland requires landlords to present their EICR to tenants    

To further protect tenants, Scotland passed a law that requires the landlord to present these reports to tenants as proof that their properties are safe to occupy. Having said this, it is highly recommended to get EICR every change of tenancy.

4. You need it for property insurance claims    

To reduce the likelihood of electrocution, fire, and other related accidents, insurance providers consider periodic electrical inspections as part of the landlord's obligations. They look for electrical certifications and other documentation like PAT testing and emergency light testing before granting the claims of a landlord and paying for the repairs and other expenses.

https://www.electricalsafetycertificate.co.uk/eicr-legal-requirements-landlords/

Electrical Certificates: Why it is Necessary for Landlords

Securing an electrical certificate for landlords is one of the requirements of the law if you own an HMO property. You have a legal obligation to have your electrical installations checked periodically. This means that every five years, you need to hire a competent electrician to carry out tests and inspections and to renew your landlord electrical certificate.

Even if you own a single let private residential property, electrical tests are still necessary. You are not legally obligated to do it, but it's one effective way of complying with the law's requirements, including:

●        Ensuring that the letting property is safe to occupy, and

●        Ensuring the electrics and appliances supplied are in a safe condition.

Here are the reasons why the law strongly recommends that landlords get an electrical certificate:

Avoid prosecution

Failure to secure an electrical certificate for the landlord may lead to prosecution. After all, you have a legal duty to ensure your rental property and any electrical or appliances equipment provided are safe before and throughout the tenancy. So, if you cannot present an EICR to your tenant, you may be sued by them. In case of fire resulting in injury and death, you may face criminal charges on top of a hefty fine.

Reveal the real condition of your property

Inspections involve thorough investigations and tests of wirings, connections, appliances, plugs, sockets and other parts to find out if your electrical installations or any alterations made in the last years meet BS 7671. The reports will tell you if there are C1: Immediate Dangers, C2: Potentially Dangers, and C3: Non-Compliance.

Protect your investment

Getting your electrical work inspected periodically is a great preventive measure. With a qualified electrician inspecting and checking for any potential damage, you can fix the problems and avoid more expensive repairs. You can also avoid fire, shocks, and other related accidents. More importantly, you will be able to protect your asset and source of income.