Why Landlords Need an Electrical Safety Certificate
It is your duty as a landlord ensure that your property's electrical installations comply with current safety standards. This can be accomplished by hiring a professional electrician to carry out an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
An EICR document is from a qualified electrician that gives you an accurate overview of your electrical installation at the time of review. It also identifies areas that require work.
What is an EICR?
An electrical safety certificate, also known as an EICR is a legal requirement for landlords of rented properties. Landlords must have an electrician conduct an EICR of their property every five year. If they discover dangerous faults they must correct them as soon as they are discovered.
An EICR is carried out by a licensed electrician who is certified. It is a thorough check of the electrical wiring within an area. The inspection involves a thorough examination of every circuit that the inspector is able to access to. It also includes visual checks like lights, sockets, and switches. It also tests between neutral and live conductors to determine if there is a risk.
The inspection results are then written up and assigned a code. This shows how serious the issue is. If the problem is classified as a Code one, it must be resolved immediately. If the issue is one of Code two, it must be fixed within 28 days.
A code three recommendation indicates that the installation has been deemed safe and that there is no need for further work. It is crucial to keep the EICR report safe. If required, it might be necessary to provide the report to local authorities as well as to insurance providers.
Having an EICR completed can be beneficial to landlords and homeowners. It can save time as well as money, especially if the EICR is done before the property is sold or rented out. It can also help prospective tenants to feel more comfortable when buying or renting the property because they will be able to ensure that the electrical systems are up to par.
Prices can vary based on the dimensions and the complexity of the property. A smaller property will generally cost less than one with more outbuildings and more units.
Anyone who wants to make sure that their home is compliant with the current UK electrical regulations should have an EICR done. This is a legal requirement for certain homes, not all.
What is an EICR Report?
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) are essential to ensure that all electrical installations within a building are safe to use. No matter if you are a homeowner or landlord An electrician should check your electrical system to ensure it meets current safety standards.
An EICR outlines the electrical system and covers all testing, including RCD testing. The report is designed to pinpoint any problems with the wiring within your home and give you an idea of what should be done in order to keep it safe.
Depending on the kind of property, it is recommended that you inspect your electrical system and tested at least every three to four years. This will help you determine whether any environmental conditions or changes in usage have caused any damage to your electrical system.
electrical certification uk is also vital to carry out an EICR on homes which have been the subject of significant damage, such as fire or flood damage in order to determine the extent of any damage and identify any problems that might be affecting your electrical system. It is important to complete the work promptly to prevent further damage to the electrical system or ensure that you and your tenants are protected from any potential dangers.
Landlords must make sure that their electrical system is safe to be in compliance with all lawful guidelines. This can mean the avoidance of heavy fines and penalties. EICRs allow landlords to easily show that they are in compliance and have followed the correct procedures when they let their property.
An EICR can be a valuable tool to help you sell your house. It can show potential buyers that the electrical system is safe. This can accelerate the selling process and reduce any potential problems for buyers if the electrical system get damaged.
How do I get an EICR?
An EICR is a proof that proves that an electrical installation on a property has been tested and inspected by a qualified person (like electricians). You could face fines in the event that you don't have an EICR completed within a short time.

It's simple to get an EICR. Make an appointment with a qualified electrician, and they will come out to your home to conduct the inspection. This could take anywhere from 3-4 hours based on size of your house and the number of circuits being tested.
The electrician will inspect your property and then write an inspection report that details the state of your electrical system. The completed report should be sent to both and your tenant to keep the records.
You should also organize any remedial work that was described in the EICR. This must be completed within 28 days, unless another date has been specified. You must then confirm that the work has been completed to both your tenant and the local authority.
Alongside being a legal requirement for landlords as well as a legal requirement for landlords, an EICR is an excellent idea to have when you are selling your property. This is because it could be useful to show prospective buyers that the electrical system of the home is safe and will not cause any issues.
It is important to keep in mind that electrical installations may deteriorate over time, making them vulnerable to damage. It is vital to get an EICR completed every year, no matter if your property has been there for a long time.
Landlords must obtain an EICR done as soon as they can, particularly when they rent out their property for the first time. You could be held responsible if your tenants are hurt due to the unsafe electrical wiring in your property.
Why do I need an EICR
Whether you're a homeowner, landlord or a business owner, it's vital that you regularly check your electrical system. This is because electrical wiring could get worse over time and cause dangerous shorts and fires.
An EICR is essential to ensure that you are in compliance with all legal requirements. It also gives you peace-of-mind. It's a great way to safeguard your employees and customers from injury or potential damage by electrical shocks and electrical fires.
An experienced electrician will conduct an EICR on your property by disconnecting all electricity from the mains electricity supply, assessing them for safety and compliance. Once the inspection is complete they will create an EICR report detailing any deterioration or flaws and recommend what they think can be done to correct them.
There are three codes that the EICR will display with, in the event that the report displays any of these codes, you'll be required to act quickly to prevent risk. If an electrician discovers the C1 code on your report, it's clear that there is a risk for your property and must be fixed immediately.
If the EICR displays an C2 code, it is similar to the C1 code. You must take immediate steps to make your area secure before the electrician arrives. The electrician will also provide an estimate for any work that is needed to make your installation safer.
If the report indicates an FI Code, it's another indication that you need to make changes to your installation. In this instance, you'll need to get an electrician to conduct an assessment and fix the installation that is defective within 28 days or a shorter time when specified in the report.
An EICR is required for every property that are located in England or Wales. You should ask for one prior to letting your property. This is because it's an additional safety precaution for your tenants and you could be prosecuted should your property have an unsatisfactory electrical system that could harm them.