An EICR Certificate Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an essential element of making sure that all electrical installations in a building are safe to use.
In 2020 local authorities were given the authority to fine landlords who do not meet electrical safety standards, EICR Certificate.
The legislation, Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Sector (England) Regulations 2020, was introduced across the nation to allow the enforcement of these guidelines giving councils the authority to demand reports after inspections of properties.
Apart from that they expose to authorities the state of the electrical installations and provide them with enough information to determine whether landlords are observing.
On April 11th this year, one of these landlord was found to be in violation of the rules and became the first landlord to be penalized in the brand new Regulation.
In this particular instance, the landlord was unable in obtaining the EICR certificate within the stipulated period of time, which caused Coventry City Council to issue a fine of P1, 600.
In accordance with the Regulations in the Regulations, according to the Regulations, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be submitted by the Council within 7 days. In this instance the EICR must have been completed by an electrician who is qualified by April 1stto prove how the installation of electricity was secure.
In accordance with this law the copy of the lease must be given in the presence of the landlord. But, none was provided:
Adrian Chows, Property Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager of Coventry council Adrian Chows, Property Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager for Coventry “We believe that this will be the very first instance that that these powers are used by an Local Authority in England. It demonstrates how Coventry City Council are adopting a proactive approach to enforcement and securing landlords who are not in compliance with the rules of their city.”
For those working in the field, Electrical Installation Condition Reports are an industry standard, recognized throughout the industry as a way to aid in the compliance with safety standards for electrical installations. However, for those who are who are new to the field particularly first-time landlords the rules and regulations regarding the EICR may be neglected.
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report involves the examination and testing of electrical installations to determine if it is suitable for the owners of buildings, and those who live there. In addition an EICR assists in identifying the following issues:
The reliability of the installation
Damage to items like switches and sockets.
Ensuring that the property complies with the relevant regulations.
In general generally speaking, generally speaking, an EICR that is often known as a periodic Inspection Check or a Periodic Inspection Report, is a document that outlines the state of an electric installation. The report is utilized to evaluate risks and establish safety as well as the information contained provided in the report becoming an essential part of finding and fixing any existing problems while also determining precautions to minimize the risk of injury or danger, particularly before any work to repair it.
In the case of rental properties If an EICR determines an apartment does not conform to the laws and safety standards that are stringent The landlord could be fined as high as PS30, 000.
If you’re a homeowner, it’s not legally required to have the EICR Certificate, however an electrical inspection must be carried out at least every ten years if your property is owned by a private party, EICR Certificate.
Who is qualified to conduct electrical inspections?
The Regulations stipulate that landlords must inspect their homes and have them checked by an “qualified and competent” person every five years. To facilitate this to do this, comprehensive guidelines have been developed by the Government that outlines how landlords can locate the most qualified electrician.
Inspectors and testers of electrical safety are registered with search tools, such as the Competent Person Scheme, which makes landlords easier to locate a qualified professional. While membership isn’t required however, certain inspectors and testers are required to join this scheme to boost their visibility.
In the event of commissioning an inspection landlords should ask these questions to make sure the applicant is suitable
Are the inspectors a part of a scheme for competent persons?
What are their experiences?
Do they have sufficient insurance?
What qualifications do they have?
Do these qualifications include current Regulations?
What are Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020?
Landlords of privately rented accommodations must:
Ensure that national Standards for the safety of electrical equipment are adhered to. They are outlined in the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations that are published as British Standard 7671.
Make sure that the electrical systems that are located in the rental properties are tested and inspected by a certified and experienced person at least every five years.
Request a document from the individual performing the inspection and test that provides the results and also sets an appointment for the next test and inspection.
Provide a copy of the report your current tenant in the 28-day period from the date of an inspection or test.
Provide a copy of this document to the new tenant prior to their arrival at the property.
Please provide a copy of the report every potential tenants within 28 days after receiving an inquiry to see the document.
Provide an authority in the area with a copy this document within seven days after receiving a request for the report.
Keep a copy the report to hand to the inspector and the tester who will conduct another inspection or test.
If the report indicates that further investigation or remedial work is required, complete the work within 28 days or a shorter timeframe if it is required within the document.
Submit a written acknowledgement of the successful completion of the work to repair the electrical issue from electrical contractor to tenant as well as authorities in the area within 28 days after the completion of the work.
Do I need to have another EICR performed If the first one is not satisfactory?
When the EICR is not satisfactory If the EICR is not satisfactory, you do not have to get another one. Instead, you must ensure that the work required is completed. If there are further investigations, it must be completed within 28 days, unless the report specifies a different time period. Also, you’ll need a written confirmation from every electrician who is responsible for any follow-up tasks, to prove that the work was completed.
Do landlords require a brand new EICR once they have new tenants?
For landlords who are landlords, the EICR has a validity of five years. The validity could be reduced when the electrical inspector deemed that it was needed and there are a variety reasons that this could be the scenario. Each five years, you’ll need to obtain a new certificate, which landlords may show the safety of electrical equipment to tenants. A change of tenancy won’t render the EICR ineffective.
What is the cost of the EICR cost?
The cost of an electrical Installation Condition Report ranges in cost based on the area of building and the number of rooms within the building. It also depends on the amount of electrical installations in fixed locations which require testing, as well as the hourly rates of the electrician with certification.
In general, an EICR for an apartment with a single bedroom will cost around PS125 for a house with five bedrooms could cost over PS300. The typical cost for an EICR is around PS200.
Since prices vary based on many factors and other factors, these are approximate figures, and it’s advised to research prices before hiring an expert tradesperson.
Some organizations, like Safe2 offers the electrical condition of installation report that starts at a price of PS125 plus VAT with an auto-renew feature which reminds the property owner the property manager, landlord or owner that the safety certification is coming due.
What do you think the EICR report reveal?
The report on the condition of electrical installations will highlight a range of aspects. It will determine if the electrical systems inside the property that are being examined are safe to use for the duration of.
If the report doesn’t say that further work or remedial examinations are required the landlord is deemed to have been able to pass. Thus, they won’t have to undertake any work.
Four classification codes signal the need for additional remedial work. According to the government according to the following:
Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Potential for injury. The electrician can make C1 dangers safe prior to leaving the premises.
Code 2 (C2) Risky:
More Investigation (FI) Additional investigation is needed immediately. Code 3 (C3) 3: Improvements is recommended. Further remedial work isn’t necessary in order for this report to be considered satisfactory.
Modern electrical safety reporting software comes with these codes in the standard report and make it simpler than ever for landlords comprehend the results the results of the Electrical Installation Condition Report.
If codes 1 (C1) or 2 (C2) appear found on the report, and they are classified as a threat and deemed to be a risk, remedial work is required, and the same is true for Further Investigation (FI). These codes are essentially indicating that the installation isn’t safe to continue using and that work must be done to address these issues before a safety certificate is able to be granted. Read more
