Having recently carried out a handful of EICRs (Electrical Installation Condition Reports) for customers in Hawkinge, Ramsgate, Hythe, and Sandgate, and in preparation for a visit with a land lady to a property next week in Folkestone, I thought it might be work pulling together a brief summary of the requirements for those renting properties in England.
As of 1st July 2020 for new tenancies and 1st April 2021 for existing tenancies, all properties that are rented must have the electrics inspected and tested once every 5 years.
The aim of this inspection is to ensure that the electrical system is to ensure that electrical safety standards governed by the current edition of the regulations (BS76761 18th edition) are met. Critically this doesn't mean that the installation has to be brought up to 18th edition standards, it does however mean it needs to be safe, and the 18th edition is a guide to that.
The 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations states: “Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the Regulations may not comply with this edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading”
The report required is the Electrical Installation Condition Report which is produced by a electrically competent person who assesses the safety of the existing electrical installation within a property. The electrician will report on items including the consumer units, protective bonding, lighting, switches and sockets etc. The purpose of the report is to confirm as far as possible whether or not the electrical installation is in a safe condition for continued service.
The outcome of the report will show whether the electrical installation is in a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory condition and will detail a list of observations affecting the safety or requiring improvements. These observations will be supported by codes:
Unsatisfactory Codes are:
C1 – Danger present, risk of injury, immediate remedial action required
C2 – Potentially Dangerous, urgent remedial action required
FI – Further investigation required
A Satisfactory Code is:
C3 – Improvement recommended
Action is required if the EICR issued is Unsatisfactory. Should the report outcome be Unsatisfactory, the landlord will be responsible to organise a repair, replacement or further investigation within 28 days.
If you haven't had your electrical installation inspected and tested for a while, then get in touch and we will be happy to help.
Cheers
Nathan
Inspired Smart Living Ltd.
For more details see the following links from the government and industry sources:
The first is a very clear document produced by the Electrical Safety Roundtable and is the best place to start.
The next is the guidance direct from the government for landlords.
Guide for landlords: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
And finally one for tenants from Electrical Safety First
