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Why We Are In Love With Electrical Safety Certificates Stevenage (And You Should Also!)
What Are Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)?

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) are safety inspections and tests carried out on the electrical systems of your property. It is also called an owner's certificate of electrical safety.

Landlords are legally required to have their homes examined by an electrician every five years. The testing ensures that the electrical wiring in the property is safe for tenants.

What is an EICR (EICR)?

An exhaustive record of electrical installations A comprehensive record of electrical installations, an EICR is also referred to as Periodic Inspection Check or Electrical Installation Condition Report. An EICR is a must for any landlord or homeowner to ensure their property is safe and compliant.

When you book an EICR, a qualified engineer will visit your property to conduct a series of tests on the electrical system and appliances within it. The first step will be an examination of the visual, in which the engineer will search for any obvious evidence of wear and tear, such as damaged cables or equipment that appears to have overheated. Following this the engineer will then conduct live and dead testing. Live testing is used to determine the efficiency of disconnecting each circuit. Dead testing is used to determine the polarity, resistance, and continuity.

Your EICR report will detail the results of these tests. The report will include a summary, as well as suggestions for any repairs or upgrades that might be necessary. The report will also include an indication of the overall state of electrics, with codes such as C1 or C2 indicating that there is either danger or that further investigation is needed. A code of C3 indicates that the electrics don't pose any danger, but that more improvement is advised.

An EICR is not just an obligation of law for landlords in the UK It can also help to protect you from liability in the event of an accident, or fire that is caused by electrical problems in your home. If you are found to be negligent in the area of electrical safety, your insurance company may refuse coverage for any damage.

You cannot conduct an EICR yourself. emergency electricians stevenage requires a high degree of expertise and knowledge to interpret the results. It is essential to employ an experienced and qualified electrician or approved contractor to carry out the test for you. A professional with experience can evaluate the electrical system in your property, identify any issues and offer advice on how to proceed.

What is the difference between a landlord’s electrical safety certificate and an EICR?

An in-depth examination of the electrical systems in your home is carried out to ensure they are safe for tenants. They will be examined against the current regulations for wiring and If anything is found to be unsafe the issue will be highlighted in the report using coded errors. These faults are classified as C1, C2 or C3. C1 could indicate a dangerous problem that must be addressed immediately.

Code C2 indicates that the issue is not immediately dangerous but needs to be addressed right immediately. Finally, Code C3 means that the issue isn't an immediate threat, but it could be improved on. Landlords are not required to make these improvements however, they can help to prevent future issues and make the property safer for tenants.

Landlords must be aware that when the electrical installation within their home is deemed to be in violation of an error code of C1 or C2 the landlord is legally obliged to have it repaired as soon as possible. If they don't then they could be punished up to PS30,000 by the local authorities.

The landlord's electrical certificate will be issued by the electrician after they have completed their inspection, and all faults were rectified. This certificate is valid from 1 to 5 years, depending on the type of property. Landlords must provide an original copy of the EICR to their current tenants within 28 days of the date of being completed or before they accept any new tenants to the property.

It is crucial for landlords to keep their electrical safety certificates up-to current since they are a crucial piece of evidence in case the tenant is injured. However, there are some common misconceptions about these documents which can result in confusion regarding the purpose of them and how often they have to be carried out. We've put together a simple guide to clarify the distinction between an EICR and PAT test as well as the content of the tests and how often they must be carried out. We've also provided information on how much an EICR test costs and who can perform these tests.

Why do I require an EICR?

An EICR is an examination and test to prove that a property's electrical installation is safe for use. It covers the wires and sockets that are fixed in a commercial or residential property. It also considers portable appliances (such as washing machines and tumble dryers) in the property to ensure they are in compliance with UK safety standards.

As time passes, electrical installations begin to deteriorate and this can result in problems like short circuits, overloading and fires. The EICR will identify these issues and any work that is required. The electrician conducting the test will issue a certificate that proves the installation is safe for use.

It is your obligation as a landlord make sure that the rental property you rent is secure and in compliance. You must conduct an EICR at the property at least every five years. In addition, you will need to provide your tenants with an EICR report and inform them of any remedial work that may be required.


You could be penalized if you fail to conduct an EICR and someone is injured on your property. Injury is a very real risk and it's just not worth it.

When carrying out an EICR the electrical engineer will cut off all the mains electricity to ensure safety. Then, they will test the fixed electrical installation using a combination of live and dead tests to determine if there are any problems like disconnection efficiency, polarity, and resistance. The results of the test will be documented in the final report. any necessary work will need to be carried out before a landlord can declare their property safe to use.

In addition to an EICR, it is recommended for homeowners to have regular electrical inspections and test carried out by a licensed electrician. This is especially important for older homes that are more prone to issues like overheating or frequent trips of electrical sockets and switches. The cost of an electrical inspection is considerably less than fixing or replacing damaged electrical fittings.

Who can carry out an EICR

A qualified electrician should be sought out by a business or landlord owner who wants to perform an EICR. An experienced electrician can give a precise report on the electrical condition of a structure and offer advice on any repairs that are required. A good electrician should be a part of the Electrical Competent Person Scheme or can sign a checklist that demonstrates their experience, competence and insurance details to ensure they are in compliance with the current regulations for wiring.

If you are a landlord it is now legally required to test your electrical system regularly and to provide new tenants with an EICR certificate. Landlords should also have a report completed when there is a change of tenant or prior to selling a property. Having an up-to-date EICR on your property will protect you from unanticipated electrical problems that could result in expensive repair costs and, in the worst case, injury or even death.

When an electrician performs an EICR, they will start by examining the general state of the electrical system. The visual inspection will identify any issues with the power sockets, cables or light fittings. The electrician will then disconnect electricity and conduct a range of tests for both the live and dead components. The dead tests consist of an insulation test, a continuity test and polarity test. Live tests test the ability of the RCDs to prevent fires and the efficiency of disconnecting in the event of the fault.

The electrician will then produce an report that details their findings. Any observations found will be identified with a code depending on their severity. These codes will indicate whether the electrical installation is deemed satisfactory, if additional investigation is required, or if immediate remedial actions are needed.

If an electrical system is found to be hazardous, it will receive an 'Code 1 mark and must be removed as soon as possible. Electrical system problems can be a serious fire risk and cause serious injuries. In some instances an inspector may not be able to come to an answer to the issue and then mark the issue as F/I.

Website: https://www.electricians-r-us.co.uk/stevenage-electricians/