Landlords Electrical Safety Certificate - Cotteridge

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates or an EICR provides documented proof that your property is electrically safe for prospective tenants to live and rent said property. Without one, tenants should not be occupying the property and as a Landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure all certificates are valid, and signed by a fully qualified electrician. You may also be asked by your tenant, letting agency or local authority to provide the certificate, which you must oblige to.  

Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates Explained

A Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate, also commonly known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a visual inspection of the properties electrical system combined with some electrical testing. All of which, must only be carried out and signed off by a fully qualified, registered electrician. The EICR will look at:

• Wiring condition
• The fuseboard or consumer unit
• Sockets and switches
• Earthing and bonding  
• Any visual signs of wear and tear or a stressed system.

If our electricians spot anything unsafe, the fault will be noted and given a code outlining its severity. We’ll then also provide you with a no-pressure quote to repair the noted fault.  

Why we’re different - At A Bathe Electrics, we’ll explain the report in as much detail as we see necessary and take through your options along with our recommendations. We’ll never just hand you the report and be on our way, that doesn’t help you and quite frankly isn’t how we treat our customers.

EICR Codes Explained

Thankfully the code grading system is pretty simple, this helps us and you prioritise any faults found effectively. Here’s what you need to know:

• C1 - Immediate danger.  
• C2 - Potential danger.  
• C3 - Improvement required.
• FI - Further investigation needed.  

So, C1 & 2  - repair work is required urgently, C3 or FI  - repair work is strongly advised but less of a priority. Things like lack of RCD protection can potentially fail an EICR as would faulty wiring, inadequate earthing or bonding, overloaded circuits and even sub par / DIY electrical work. Even lack of certification on previous electrical work can impact an EICR result.  

Why do landlords need an electrical safety certificate?

Simple answer - it’s the law. All Landlords must hold a valid EICR for each of their rental properties. An EICR is valid for five years however a new EICR must be carried out prior to tenancy changes.  

Remedial work

Upon completion of the EICR, if any faults are detected, and where remedial work is the only solution - the work must be completed within 28 days following the report or sooner if advised by the electrician. Again this is not just advice, but a legal requirement for the Landlord to arrange.  

Failure to provide EICR proof

If your Landlord fails to provide proof of the EICR, he or she may be fined up to £30,000! The cost of an EICR is usually less than £300, much much less than the potential maximum fine - so why risk it?

For landlord electrical safety certificates across Cotteridge, Birmingham choose A Bathe Electrics! Contact our friendly team today for more information.