An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal, in-depth inspection of a property’s electrical systems and installation.
Is an EICR a legal requirement?
Yes. Although they have been conducted for many years in commercial and industrial facilities, they only became a legal requirement for the private rented sector in July 2020. This law was changed further in April 2021 and now all tenants need to have received a copy of a valid EICR, regardless of when the tenancy started.
How long does an EICR take?
Typically, they should take around 3-4 hours. This will vary depending on property size, number of distribution boards and how many cables come from the board(s).
How often does an EICR need to be done?
Landlords are required to complete an EICR every 5 years or whenever tenancy changes hands. Meaning if you have short-term tenants you will need to carry out an EICR before a new tenant moves into the property.
Business owners should have an EICR test at least once every 5 years.
Homeowners only need an EICR test once every 10 years. This changes if the property has a swimming pool, in which case it is recommended to have a test once a year.
What happens if a property fails?
If a property fails a test, remedial works must be completed by a qualified electrician within 28 days. Once remedial work has been completed, a confirmation of completed works must be shown to the landlord, tenants, and the local housing authority within 28 days.
Landlords and business owners are legally responsible for the tenants and employees that occupy their properties. Owners can be prosecuted if a tenant or employee is harmed due to unsafe electrics.
How can NLT Electrical help?
At NLT Electrical, our in-house, qualified testers can help landlords and business owners ensure the safety of their property’s electrics. We can tailor a bespoke maintenance package ensuring electrics are regularly checked, safe and maintained to the highest of qualities.
If you want to arrange an EICR for your business or discuss a bespoke maintenance and testing package, call us on 01827 211 600.