EIC Reports & Electrical Safety Reports

Otherwise known as landlord electrical certificate, EICR report, Periodic Inspection, or home condition reports. Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR’s) are important for any homeowner, landlord or tenant, to ensure the safety and condition of the electrical wiring in the property

What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report?

Electrical installations and wiring can deteriorate over time or show signs of age, but you would never notice it until it was too late. EICRs will check the overall condition of the electrical installation in the property, and it will help pick up on any faults or electrical damages, and also any wiring that doesn’t meet the current regulations.

However, on the 13th of January 2020, a full detailed set of regulations were laid out before parliament for their consideration. The "Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020" detail the new requirements for electrical safety checks in rental properties and the expected timescales for their implementation.

In a nutshell, the regulations require that every private rented property has an electrical inspection completed by a suitably qualified person, a minimum of every 5 years. ***There are instances where this timescale may be shorter, such as where the previous inspection has suggested a shorter timeframe due to the condition of the installation

The implementation of the new regulations will be as follows:

New Tenancies - New tenancies must meet the new requirements from July 1st 2020 - Be aware that renewed 'periodic tenancies' are counted as 'new tenancies' even if the same tenant renews for a further period
Existing Tenancies - Existing 'longer term' tenancies must meet the new requirements from April 1st 2021

The regulations also require that:

Landlords provide a copy of the electrical inspection report to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection (or before the tenancy begins for new tenants)
Landlords must supply a copy to the local authority within 7 days (if requested to do so)
Any faults highlighted by the electrical inspection must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner if detailed within the electrical report)
Written confirmation must be obtained to confirm that any necessary repairs have been completed

Non-compliance with the new regulations will mean the local authority will supply the landlord with an 'enforcement notice'. If a landlord fails to act upon this, the local authority can enforce it by having the repairs completed (and billing the landlord) or even impose a fine of upto £30,000

Please call use for any advice and an estimate.