EICR: An Overview of Electrical Installation Condition Report
Many landlords are under the false impression that getting an EICR or electrical installation condition report is costly and takes a lot of work. It doesn’t have to. The law requires an EICR for landlords for good reason. Such inspections and tests are necessary to ensure the following:
● Safety of all electrical installations in rental properties (both domestic and commercial)
● Protection of tenants and employees
● Early detection and prevention of electrical issues like overloading, short circuit, lack of earthing and bonding
● Prevention of fire, electrical shocks, and other related accidents
● Securing properties against damage caused by fire
● Compliance with the rules of property insurance provider
Think of an EICR report as an investment for your business—one that will protect your assets and your source of income in the long run. You also need it to meet the requirements of the law and avoid any legal problems down the line. Failure to comply with the safety standards and regulations may lead to prosecutions, thousands of fines, and even imprisonment.
Ready to get started? Here are the important details you need to know about securing an EICR for your property.
Q: How often are you required to carry out electrical tests?
A: It will depend on the type of property you own. For tenanted properties, periodic inspections have to be done every five years or at each change of occupancy. The same goes for business or commercial structures. As for owner-occupied homes, periodic inspection is every 10 years.
Q: Why is periodic testing necessary?
A: Even if your electrical installations are new during the first inspection, they still need to be checked after a few years. That's because of the fact that wirings, circuits, sockets, and other parts of installations deteriorate due to frequent use. To check their real condition and reveal the problems, they have to be inspected by a competent electrician for continued service.
Q: Why hire a registered electrician?
A: Defects and issues are hard to spot. You may be having serious problems without realizing it. Enlisting registered electricians is necessary because they are trained and more knowledgeable when it comes to the safety standards and how electrical installations work.
About the Author
I am James Livingstone the owner of
, we provide electrical certificates and
in London, Essex and Kent at reasonable and fair prices. The company is fully insured, and all electricians are qualified and are members of either NAPIT or the NICEIC. We believe in publishing the correct information for our consumers to ensure they get value for money.