You may be aware that we offer testing and inspection services for homes and businesses in Peterborough, Stamford, Bourne, Market Deeping and Spalding. These include inspecting the electrical installation and measuring it against the current regulations, this is a thorough test and involves testing the hardwiring for safety reasons. Why do we do this? Well I think the best way to think about this is like an MOT for your electrical installation. This ‘MOT’ is called and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and goes a long way to keeping your family and home safe from electrical problems.
For owner occupied homes it’s recommended these tests and inspections are completed at least every 10 years. They are also commonly undertaken when homes are bought and sold. In fact a lot of surveyors come back suggesting the electrical installation is checked by a registered electrician before contracts are exchanged. We recently had a scenario in Stamford where a family move into a new home only to realise it needs extensive and costly electrical work to get it to a safe standard. A pre purchase EICR would have highlighted the flawed electrical work and allowed a potential negotiation in the asking price.
For rental homes the EICR (sometimes called a landlords certificate or periodic inspection) needs to be completed at least every 5 years. Since the 1st of July 2020 this is now a legal requirement for all new tenancies. From the 1st April 2021 all rented houses need to have an up to date EICR. It is the landlords responsibility to get the tests completed. The bullet points below highlight some of the key points landlords should consider:
- From 1st July 2020 all new tenancies must have an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) completed before the tenancy begins
- All existing tenancies must have an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) completed by 1st April 2021
- These regulations will apply to all properties in the private rented sector.
- Local authorities can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for a breach of the regulations. Where there are multiple breaches, the local authority can impose multiple penalties.
- The Landlord must supply a copy of this report to new or existing tenants living in the property within 28 days of the inspection.
- If the electrical safety report identifies a fault or potential fault, which the landlord must either investigate further or repair, the landlord must ensure further investigations or repairs are completed by a qualified person within 28 days of the inspection, or within the timeframe set out in the report if this is shorter.
- If a landlord breaches the above requirements, the local authority has a duty to act. Where urgent works are not required, the local authority must serve a ‘remedial notice’ on the landlord. This must be served within 21 days of the local authority deciding it has reasonable grounds to act. The landlord will have 28 days from the date of service of the notice to take the action outlined, or must make written representations within 21 days if they disagree with the notice.
We offer inspection and testing services on private rented sector in the Peterborough, Stamford, Bourne, Market Deeping and Spalding areas. We are experienced, fully registered NICEIC approved contactors and insured to carry out electrical inspections. If you would like a quote for inspection and testing or if you would like a chat about your requirements then give your local electrician a call on 01733 698 151 or email info@mdseelec.co.uk
MDS Electrical, 5 Tanhouse, Orton Malborne, Peterborough, PE2 5NA
