Landlords are now required to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before a tenant moves into their rental property. This report is a period inspection that needs to be updated every five years.
* This article was updated in 2022, as these EICR requirements are now in full effect. *
An EICR verifies that your property has been inspected and tested as safe for your tenants, and should be done by a qualified electrician. EICRs are required as part of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rental Sector (England) Regulations 2020. All tenancies are required to have a valid EICR with a satisfactory rating.
Below we answer some of the most common FAQs surrounding this regulation change to help landlords ensure they are letting within the law.
What is an EICR?
An EICR assesses the safety of the existing electrical systemswithin a property and describes its condition. The assessment will cover edition of the wiring, consumer units (fuse boards), protective bonding, light fittings and lighting, switches, sockets etc. The report will assess if the electrics meet current wiring regulations and standards, specifically British Standard ‘BS 7671:2018’ which has been in effect since January 2019.
What is my responsibility as a landlord?
Landlords must obtain a valid EICR with a ‘satisfactory’ rating from a qualified electrician and this must be given to the prospective tenant before their tenancy agreement commences, or to existing tenants within 28 days of the electrical inspection. If a local authority requests an EICR report, it must be provided within seven calendar days.
How long is an EICR valid for?
If the condition of all of these is deemed ‘satisfactory’, the report is valid for five years and can therefore be used for future tenancies for the next five years.
What is the difference between a PAT and EICR?
A Portable Appliance Test (PAT) documents safety testing of only portable electrical appliances e.g. fridge/freezer, washing machine, toaster. An EICR assesses all the fixed electrical fittings and installation.
Why do I need an EICR on a renewal?
Under the regulations a renewal is treated as a new tenancy, so any renewals commencing from 1st July 2020 must also comply with the new regulations.
What if my EICR comes back with a rating of ‘unsatisfactory’?
Where a report rates the electrics as ‘unsatisfactory’, the regulations require the landlord to undertake further investigative or remedial work by a qualified person within 28 days, or sooner if specified in the report.
Unsatisfactory codes shown on the EICR report can include:
- C1 Danger present, risk of injury, immediate remedial action required
- C2 Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required
- F1 Further investigation required
What happens if I do not comply with these regulations?
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in financial penalties of up to £30,000 by the local authority.
If you have any further questions regarding an EICR, or you would like Foxtons to arrange an EICR for you, please contact us on [email protected].
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