What Are EICR Certificates and Why Are They Important?
The EICR certificate is an important document that will safeguard your property and the occupants. It will help you determine the appliances that are likely to cause fires and electrical shocks.
It will also check the electrical fittings and the electrical installations of your home to determine if they comply with the required standards. It is crucial to conduct periodic inspections in order to help prevent electrical injuries and accidents.
Why do I need an EICR?
All landlords in private rented areas will have to adhere to the new law that requires a valid EICR certificate in April 2021. This applies to all new tenancies and those that have been renewed.
An EICR is a crucial document that helps ensure the safety of your home. It describes the state of the electrical system as well as any issues that could arise. This includes fire hazards, inadequate insulation, and defective wiring.
In many instances, these issues may be hard to spot but by doing regular EICR examinations, they can be identified prior to them becoming a problem and can be addressed. This way, you could save lives and prevent serious injuries.
An experienced electrician will conduct an inspection. This is the first step in getting an EICR. This includes a visual examination of all electrics within the home, and look for indications of wear and tear, like broken cables or power switches.
Once the visual inspection is completed, the inspector will then conduct several electrical tests to make sure that the property's electrics are safe and conform with the current standards. This includes both live (power on) and dead (power off) testing.
Most tests are conducted while your electrics remain on, however, some tests require that the power be turned off. This allows the tester access to areas which would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
When the test is complete, after the test is completed, an EICR report will be generated that will include the details of the inspection and test results. It will include recommendations to improve the safety of your electrical installations and how to comply with current standards for electrical safety.
Some insurers will only provide cover if you have an up to date EICR certificate. This certificate can very beneficial since it will prove that you're taking the right steps to avoid electrical issues within your home. It also protects your financial security in the event that you have to make a claim against your insurer.
What is an EICR?
After an electrical inspection is completed, an EICR certificate must be issued. It identifies any flaws in the electrics in your property in relation to the UK standard for safety installations - BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).
An EICR certificate can help you avoid costly repairs and damages by safeguarding your tenants and yourself from the dangers of electrical short circuits and fires. It will also serve as evidence to support any insurance claims.
A licensed contractor or electrician can carry out the EICR. They are registered with the JIB or NICEIC and have an in-depth knowledge of electrical installations. They will conduct an extensive visual inspection and test for any potential issues. They will then draft an EICR report and provide advice on any work needed to bring the installations up to the safety standards.
This can include replacing switches, sockets, fuses and sockets, re-wiring parts of the installation and other work to repair the installation. The size of your installation will determine the amount of work needed. However, you should discuss this with an engineer prior to the inspection.
If the installation is in satisfactory condition, you won't need another one for five years. You must arrange for any work to be completed within 28 days from the date of the report's publication.
It is important to only employ experienced and qualified engineers that can create an EICR that is of the highest standard. They must have completed a course on inspection and testing , and be registered with the JIB/CPS scheme provider.
A licensed electrician will take an in-depth examination of the entire electrical system and determine any potential hazards or faults. They will also verify that all wiring and sockets are in a safe and operating condition.
How do I obtain an EICR?
Electrical installations pose an hazard to safety and must be checked regularly to ensure that they're working correctly. This is especially important for those who rent their property. It is your legal obligation to make sure that the electrics are safe.
electrical certificate of your property's wiring will help keep your customers and tenants protected, while making sure you're in compliance with the latest regulations. It can also provide peace of mind that your electrical systems are in good condition which could save you money on legal costs if you are ever liable to pay for damage caused by an electric shock or fire.
To obtain your EICR required, you must arrange an appointment with a registered electrician who will conduct an inspection and create the report. The electrician will check the electrical installation and check for any dangers that could be present.
If they spot any issues they will record the code number and the nature of the issue in the report. These codes are vital as they allow the electrician to determine which components of an electrical installation need to be repaired as quickly as is possible.
In certain instances an inspector might recommend that you fix the problem yourself. This is called "remediation" and you must know that the local authority has the obligation to fix the issue within 28 days.
The engineer will then review the report with you to suggest any corrective work that needs to be done. This could include fixing specific parts of the electrical installation or replacing them altogether.
You don't have to take any action immediately following the inspection, however it's best to do these repairs before the tenant is moved in and before your EICR expires. The inspector will be able see your current EICR, which will allow you to convince prospective buyers that your home's security is of paramount importance when you decide to sell your property.
Tradify allows you to create, sign, and store an EICR Form. It connects to the job and prepopulates information about the contractor and customer. Once you're finished, send it to your customer to sign and then deliver it!
What happens if I don't have an EICR?
If you don't have an EICR certificate for a property you're letting out, it could affect the conveyancing process. It is best to notify your solicitor as quickly as you can about any issues so that they can assist you in resolving them as quickly as possible.
Whether you're renting out an apartment or a house it's essential to have an electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This report ensures that tenants can use the wiring and sockets of your property securely.
An EICR is a legal document that proves that your home is in compliance with certain safety standards and you haven’t knowingly violated any law, is vital. This is particularly important for landlords who need protection against claims by tenants.
Landlords must give an electronic copy of the EICR to their tenants at the beginning of the tenancy, each time they issue new contracts, and when they renew the tenancy. They also need to give a copy of the EICR to any prospective tenant who requests it within 28 days of their request.
The regulations are applicable to all tenancies including vacation rental properties, in which the tenants aren't family members of the landlord. Sometimes landlords might not be aware that tenants must have an EICR throughout their tenancy.
A landlord who doesn't get an EICR in order can lose their right to rent the property or face fines up to PS30,000. This is because the landlord hasn't taken any steps to ensure the safety of their tenants and their property.
It is a good idea to ensure that all appliances are properly tested before you get an EICR. This is a simple pass-or-fail test that shows that all your electrical devices are functioning properly and safe to use.
Alternatively, you can hire an electrician who is certified to conduct the testing. It is crucial to hire an experienced electrician who can inspect the property.