A EICR testing report is essential for ensuring that all electrical systems at a property are in good operating order.
Local governments were given the authority to punish landlords who failed to comply with electrical safety regulations in 2020.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Sector Regulations 2020 was enacted across the country to enforce these requirements, giving councils the authority to seek reports following property inspections.
What exactly is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report entails inspecting and testing an electrical installation to establish its safety for tenants, building owners, and occupiers. An EICR, among other things, aids in the identification of the following:
- The installation’s integrity
- Sockets and switches have been damaged.
- Ensuring that the property conforms to applicable regulations
In general, an EICR, also known as a Periodic Inspection Check, is a report on the state of an electrical installation. The report can be used to assess risk and decide on safety, with the information in the report playing an essential role in detecting and correcting any known issues and establishing safety measures to limit risk or hazard, particularly before any repair work begins.
Is an EICR required?
It depends on the purpose of the EICR inspection. EICRs are required for some buildings but not all.
Commercial landlords’ EICR
An EICR for a business building, such as a shop, factory, or office, is not required by law.
Residential landlords’ EICR
EICR inspections are needed by law for rental properties and HMOs in England, Scotland, and Wales to protect renters and their belongings.
How can you tell if you require an EICR?
Electrical installations deteriorate with wear and age over time. If they are not examined regularly, they pose a concern; inadequately insulated wiring can generate dangerous electrical shorts, while malfunctioning wiring and appliances can cause electrical fires.
So, whether you’re a business owner, landlord, or homeowner, it’s critical to do frequent inspections on the condition of your property’s electrics.
The IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671, which governs electrical installations in the United Kingdom, recommend the following:
- Owners of businesses should get an EICR test every five years.
- Landlords should also have an EICR test every five years or if there is a tenancy change.
- Homeowners should have an EICR test performed every ten years unless the property has a swimming pool, in which case the electrics should be examined annually.
How long will it take to complete an EICR?
It all depends. The time it takes to perform an EICR relies on the size of the building and the number of circuits that need to be tested.
Any severe flaws discovered by the electrical engineer must be addressed, which can take time.
Who is qualified to conduct an electrical inspection?
The Regulations compel landlords to have their property inspected and tested every five years by a “certified and competent” person. To make things easier, the government has issued comprehensive instructions outlining how landlords might hire an appropriately skilled electrical safety professional.
Electrical safety inspectors and testers can be registered using search tools such as the competent person system, making it easier for landlords to identify a qualified professional. While membership is not required, several inspectors and testers join to boost their visibility.
Landlords can ask the following questions when commissioning an inspection to ensure the candidate is suitable:
- Is the inspector a participant in a competent person scheme?
- What is their background?
- Do they have enough insurance?
- What credentials do they have?
- Do their certifications cover the most recent regulations?
What is an EICR report, and what information is contained inside it?
Following the inspection, you will be given an EICR report. This report will include the following:
- Any limits regarding the premises that were evaluated and who tested them (for example, if only a proportion of the installations were tested or if some circuits were not able to be turned off)
- By the 18th edition wiring requirements, whether the inspection was satisfactory or unsatisfactory (i.e. ‘pass’ or ‘fail’) (BS 7671)
- A summary of all concerns discovered and their classification codes. This will be broken down by room or area.
- A schedule of inspections that shows what has been tested and the results of each test
The electrical engineer will walk you through the EICR report and advise you on what work needs to be done to make any installations safe again. You can then plan corrective actions.
What happens once the remedial work is completed?
You will be offered certification for each repair and a new Satisfactory EICR for the installation date of the inspection once the remedial works have been performed following the EICR testing.
All of your repair work is backed by 12-month parts and labor warranty.
What is the cost of an EICR?
The cost of an Electrical Installation Condition Report’s cost varies according to the property’s size and the number of rooms. It may also be determined by the number of fixed electrical systems requiring testing and the licensed electrician’s hourly cost.
An EICR for a one-bedroom rental home will typically cost around £125, whereas a five-bedroom house may cost well over £300. The average cost of an EICR is slightly more than £200.
Because prices vary depending on various circumstances, these are ballpark values. Therefore, it is best to shop for them before hiring a certified tradesperson.
Electrical failures are responsible for half of all UK house fires. Just as you would have your boiler maintained, you should have your electrical wiring repaired regularly to protect your safety, family, or employees. The benefits of EICR testing exceed the costs because you can state that the electrics in your property are safe to use.
