Getting an EICR is a Legal Requirement
It is a legal requirement as of April 2021 for landlords to provide a copy of the EICR report to all new tenants. If you do not have a report, then you will need to arrange to have an inspection done.
Private rental properties have to get an inspection and EICR done every five years. The same applies to commercial business properties.
As of the 1st of July 2020, new tenancies have to have an EICR done before the tenancy begins. Local authorities can impose a £30,000 fine for any breach of regulation.
If there are multiple breaches then the authority has the power to impose several penalties.
What Happens During an EICR Inspection?
During the EICR, the electrician will make observations, with each one being assigned a code.
The observations may also describe an omission or a defect within the installation. The observations will also be done based on severity. Circuit breakers, light fittings and sockets will all be tested to ensure everything is working as it should be.
If you have an electrical issue, it is your duty as a landlord to ensure that it is dealt with as soon as possible, to ensure the property’s safety and the tenants who live there.
As a landlord, you have 28 days to conduct a further investigation, or to hire a qualified professional to fix the issue. In some instances, the EICR report will give you a shorter timeframe to work with, depending on the severity of the issue.
How Long Does it Take to Do an EICR?
An EICR can take between 1.5-4 hours to complete. A lot of this comes down to the size of the property and if there are any issues. Most of the time properties will pass the EICR inspection with no further action required.
If you want to book an EICR test through Jack Jones Electrical then the only thing you have to do is get in touch with us today.
Count on us for:
Fault finding
Alarm maintenance
Electrical inspections
Diagnostic services
Fixed wire testing
Portable appliance testing (PAT)
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Electrical Inspection And Testing?
Electrical testing and inspection are different tasks which are usually done consecutively, as they are very closely linked. Inspection involves looking at the visual state of all electrical installations and wiring to check for any damage or issues. Electrical testing uses specialist equipment to test the electrics in your building to ensure they are functioning correctly.
What Does An Electrical Inspection Involve?
During your electrical inspection, testing and checks will be carried out by your electrician. They will look at the wiring and installations such as fuse boxes, fire alarms, lighting and sockets to check for damage. They will then test the electrical installations and provide you with a full report that explains whether anything needs upgrading to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and full safety for your staff, tenants or family.
How Long Does Electrical Testing Take?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report can take between 2 and 4 hours, and other periodic inspections can take around this time or slightly longer, depending on the size of your property, the complexity of your electrical installations and other factors. If you get your inspection carried out by our fully qualified electricians, they will provide you with a rough timescale before they begin and let you know if there are any reasons why they might require more time.
How Often Should Electrical Inspection and Testing Be Carried Out?
An EICR should be carried out every 10 years for a privately-owned domestic property and every 5 years for a rented home or a commercial property. Additionally, fixtures that are in continued use, such as fire alarms, emergency lighting and large, high-powered appliances should be checked regularly, either on a monthly or yearly basis to make sure that they are functioning normally and haven’t developed any defects.
