The EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report is a document produced by an electrician or electrical engineer who has inspected the electrical system of a commercial or residential property. It is alternately known as the Landlord Safety Test and the Homebuyer’s Test. All rental properties in the UK are required to have an EICR on hand at all times and to inspect their systems regularly to ensure electrical safety.

What is the Point of the EICR?

The Electrical Installation Condition Report has a variety of purposes:

  • To ensure the electrical safety of installations in rental properties.
  • To identify damage or wear and tear on the various components of the electrical system and recommend remedial action.
  • To identify components of the electrical system that are not compliant with the latest regulations.
  • To determine which (if any) electrical appliances have the potential to produce shocks.
  • To make a comprehensive record of the state of the electrical system that can be referenced in the future.

 

EICR Example

EICR Example: What does a Completed EICR look like?

  • At the very top of the EICR in Section A will be the name of the person who ordered the report and their address.
  • In the next box down (Section B) the electrician will indicate the reason the test was conducted, be it a change of tenancy or a pending purchase of the property.
  • Below that in Section C the name of the person occupying the property will be indicated and the address of the inspected property. It's possible this is different from the address of the person who ordered the report. Also in Section C, the inspector will indicate the type of structure, the estimated age of the wiring, whether there is evidence of past alterations to the system and the date of the last inspection.
  • Below that in Section D the inspector will list any and all components of the electrical system that could not be inspected for one reason or another, such as being buried in a wall or under a concrete slab.
  • Section E follows and this is where the electrician or electrical engineer indicates the overall condition of the installation and whether it is, in their opinion, satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If it is unsatisfactory it's likely remedial work will need to be performed.
  • In Section F the inspector will indicate when they believe the next inspection of the property should take place.
  • Section G is where the person conducting the inspection puts their information alongside the information of the person who authorised the inspection. They may be the same person.
  • Most of the remaining sections are used by the inspector to indicate technical details of the installation.
  • The final section - Section K - is where the inspecting electrician writes down their personal observations about the installation. The inspector will also likely indicate a classification code for each observation. These include: C1 - Danger present | C2 - Potentially dangerous | C3 - Improvement recommended | FI - Further investigation is required without delay.

 

How EICR Should Look

Why Would I Arrange an EICR for My Property?

For Insurance Purposes: Companies that issue homeowner insurance policies often want to know whether the home’s (even a rental home’s) electrical system complies with all the latest regulations.

For Compliance Purposes: Landlords are required to comply with several health and safety laws including The Health and Safety Work Act of 1974 and the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations of 2020. An EICR can help them stay compliant.

For Legal Purposes: In the event of an electrical fire or injury to a tenant an EICR can demonstrate that the system was recently judged safe by an electrician, thereby shifting blame for the accident to the renter.

To Indicate the Energy Efficiency of the Electrical System: An EICR paints a pretty accurate picture of the state of your electrical system, including whether it is wasting large amounts of energy. This information can be used to enhance the energy efficiency of the home.

Contact Energy Performance Certificates About an EICR for Your Property

EICRs are typically valid for 5 years from the date of issue. Therefore, if it is time to schedule a new inspection of your home’s electrical system contact the professionals at Energy Performance Certificates today by calling 0203 397 8220. Or write to: hello@energyperformancecertificates.co.uk. We hope you found this EICR example useful.

How Completed EICR Looks
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