Electrical installations are not to be taken lightly. A dodgy installation of electrical components poses a very real danger to life and limb, as well as to the home or business where the electrical components are installed.
To prevent potential dangers associated with poor-quality electrical installations the government has initiated a programme that calls for a thorough assessment of the integrity of electrical installations in all rental properties. This check must be conducted by a licensed electrician or electrical engineer and is known formally as the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and informally as the Homebuyer's Test or Landlord Safety Test.
Government regulations came into force in July 2020 compelling landlords in the UK to validate the integrity of the electrical installations in their rental properties. The regulations are aimed at reducing the number and severity of electrical fires in rental buildings and improving the overall safety of rented properties. The EICR compels landlords to:
The Electrical Installation Condition Report has one primary purpose. That is:
Every year more than 20,000 UK house fires can be traced to electrical problems. The overall goal of the EICR programme is to address and reduce that appalling statistic. The EICR programme provides a simple and clear mechanism for identifying electrical installation issues and fixing them before they become the source of a future fire.
In order to achieve that goal the EICR programme calls for qualified electrical service professionals to conduct comprehensive surveys of the electrical installations in rental properties. The electrician or electrical engineer focuses on several areas of concern. They are:
1: Wear and tear of electrical components that could pose a fire safety risk
Over time electrical components become susceptible to wear and tear that compromise their integrity and increase the risk of fire. Should the inspector detect wear and tear they will recommend remedial action to restore the building’s electrical system to safe working order.
2: Outdated or substandard electrical components
All components of an electrical installation must adhere to standards established by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and British Standards Institution. During their inspection, the electrician or electrical engineer will identify any components that do not meet those standards and call for their replacement.
3: Components that pose a particular risk of shock or fire
The inspector takes a close look at all components of the electrical system with an eye to identifying those that pose a particular risk of causing shocks or sparking a fire. The inspector will note any such components and indicate whether they must be repaired or replaced.
The British Standards Institution, which sets electrical installation standards (as expressed in regulation BS7671), recommends that rental properties have their electrical systems inspected at least every 5 years. But in reality, how often a property is inspected depends entirely on the condition of the electrical system in the building being inspected.
If the electrical system in a given building is in good condition and the inspector does not indicate the need for any remedial action they may indicate the EICR is valid for a full 5 years. If, however, the electrical system is found to be in poor condition the inspector is authorised to indicate more frequent electrical inspections, perhaps as frequently as every 6 to 12 months. That said, the average validity of EICR reports tends to be 2 to 4 years.
It should be noted that in the past the 5-year inspection threshold was only a recommendation, but as of April 2021 that recommendation has become a legal requirement.
Landlords have a duty of care that applies to the people who occupy their rental units. Part of that duty of care extends to ensuring compliance with EICR and related statutes and regulations. Landlords who do not comply with EICR requirements may be charged with negligence should a tenant, a tenant’s guest or even a contractor sustain injuries related to electrical issues.
Financial sanctions in such cases can be significant. Should it be determined the landlord was not in compliance with EICR regulations they face up to £30,000 in potential penalties. The aggrieved party may also seek financial redress in court. But that’s not all. Should it be determined a landlord was not in compliance with EICR regulations their insurance company may legally refuse to pay out for any damages resulting from electrical problems, including fires.
An EICR can only be performed by a qualified electrician or electrical engineer. At Energy Performance Certificates we have extensive experience conducting EICR inspections for landlords with anywhere from a single rental unit to dozens of rental properties.
Don’t wait until an electrical fire damages your property and causes harm to a tenant. Get in touch with us today and arrange for an EICR test that will bring your building into compliance with the law.
