EICR- A brief overview

by | Jun 30, 2021 | Commercial

As a good landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure your tenant’s safety. Where unwanted tragedies are out of your control, you can prevent any unpleasant events through effective safety measures; EICR being one of them. Previously a recommendation, it’s now a legal requirement with the new legislation. This means you are now lawfully bound to conduct EICR before letting in new tenants, and after a fixed duration of time, usually 5 years.

What is checked in EICR testing?

All your fixed electrical installations including:

  • Fixed cables
  • Fuse box
  • Hidden/visible electrical wiring
  • Light switches
  • Electrical sockets

What is included in the report?

The report consists of several codes that differ in their meaning as per the conditions. Here’s what you will see written in the EICR report:

C1- Danger present, risk of enquiry

C2- Potentially dangerous

C3- Improvement recommended

F1- Investigation required without delay

The C1 refers to the immediate threat that is fixed by your consulted professional on the spot, whilst C2 recommends further investigation/remedial work that should be conducted within 28 days after the report. The C3 means that the system complies with the current regulations, and therefore completely safe for the tenants. 

The F1, however, refers to an immediate investigation that should be done quickly, usually within 7 days. Here it is important to note down that any component of the system older than 1960 will be instantly coined sub-standard, therefore, will fall under the F1 code. This means you must fix/change it on a priority basis. 

Your electrician/engineer will hand over to you a document that will contain a record of all the remedial work done as per the directions. You are strictly directed to send a copy of the document along with a copy of the EICR report to your tenants and the local housing authority to strengthen your position. 

Who should you hire to conduct EICR?

A certified electrician should be hired to conduct an EICR report for you. However, you should also check the background of the contractor. The last thing you would want is your walls torn open, or the system out of order. As it’s a highly technical and delicate project where your property is susceptible to damage when it comes to the hidden wires, you would like someone who has a good portfolio and insurance policy behind him. This will ensure clean testing, with minimum probability of damage, or even if caused, you can rest assured that you will be compensated. Many companies across London have good insurance policies backing up their service. We highly recommend preferring registered organizations over independent electricians when attempting to get an EICR Certificate.

How long will it take?

The duration of EICR depends upon the size of the house and the type of installation. For example, a small house with simple electrical wiring will take just a few hours. However, a small house with complicated wiring will take a complete day or two. A big and complicatedly wired house will take more than a few days to be checked completely. 

How to prepare for EICR?

If you have newly bought a property and intend to let it for a new tenancy, here are some tips that might help you out:

  • Don’t show any delay in arranging the assessment. It will save you from a lot of hassles when new tenants are at your neck. Since the demand for qualified electricians has drastically increased after the new legislation, finding a quick spot will be an issue. 
  • If you have pre-existing tenants on your property, you might want to inform them about the EICR immediately. As the testing will require turning off the power, they might want to move somewhere else to avoid disrupting their daily activities. 
  • If the tenants somehow refuse to conduct EICR, you are required to collect their opinion or statement in written, recorded form to present as evidence to the local housing authority for transparency. Should any inconvenience take place, you will be free from hefty fines and any other enforcement. 

Not sure about who to trust?

As mentioned, EICR testing is a delicate and technical process that requires good experience and knowledge of the system. To make sure you aren’t manipulated by a newbie, call Serviceteam now to get a quote. We are a local multi-trade home maintenance company operating all across Greater London and its surroundings.

All of our tradesmen are highly qualified and experienced in their respective area of work, making them ideal for your EICR testing. Also, we offer emergency services and 24/7 availability. With a long line of satisfied customers throughout the city, the reviews on online platforms like Checkatrade and Trustpilot speaks volumes of our dedication to service. 

For further queries about electrical condition report check our website or google my business for more details. 

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