LANDLORDS & Airbnb Hosts
New regulations introduced between July 2020 and April 2021 by the UK's Ministry of Housing, require all landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested at an interval of AT LEAST EVERY FIVE YEARS. This applies to all tenancies including Periodic and Assured Shorthold and Airbnb hosts too.
With the introduction of this legislation beginning in 2020,
many EICR certificates are due to expire throughout 2025 and 2026.
The volume of individual EICR certificates required across the private and social housing rental sectors means that booking is highly advisable to avoid being without a valid certificate.
WHAT IS AN EICR CERTIFICATE ?
An EICR is a Electrical Installation Condition Report and is required by Law to be conducted at an interval of AT LEAST every 5 years.
Government guidance recommends that Landlords renew this certificate at the start of each new tenancy (the certificate remains valid for five years during this period) though, in practice, very few do choose this "good practice"
Regardless, the EICR is a mandatory responsibility, and cost, of earning an income as a Landlord.
WHAT DOES THE INSPECTION INVOLVE ?
Inspections will test the ‘fixed’ electrical parts of the property, (such as wiring, plug sockets, light fittings and the consumer unit (or fuse box).
This includes permanently-connected equipment such as showers and extractors.
The inspection will find out if:
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any electrical installations are overloaded
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there are any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards
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there is any defective electrical work
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there is a lack of earthing or bonding (preventing electrical shock).
NOTE: These regulations do not cover unfixed electrical appliances.
To cover liability for any electrical appliance that is provided with the tenancy, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) should be conducted as good practice.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector
Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector
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Existing tenants within 28 days of the test.
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New tenants before they occupy your premises.
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Prospective tenants within 28 days of a request.
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Local authorities within seven days of a request.
Landlords must provide the EICR to:
We're fully qualified.
We charge a fair price.
We're trustworthy.
We get the job done.
We come recommended.
We're local, REALLY local.
WHAT IF I LET MY ELECTRICAL CERTIFICATE EXPIRE ?
Quite simply, don't let your EICR expire!
If you are planning to rent out a property or be an Airbnb host and you don't yet have a certificate - arrange for an electrical inspection without delay!
Non-compliance of the legislation is a serious offence carrying a fine of up to £30,000 for Landlords per property in breach.
Think of the EICR Certificate as you would an MoT Test Certificate for a vehicle! National regulatory records show which properties have a valid certificate... and which do not.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER INSPECTION ?
The electrical contractor will make recommendations according to their findings and then needs to write and file the official report, usually this is done away from the property and will be posted to you.
The report will confirm:
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if the electrical installation is deemed safe for continued use, OR
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if any investigative / remedial work has been identified, AND / OR
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if immediate danger is present.
The categories used to identify problems are:
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Code 1 (C1): DANGER PRESENT. RISK OF INJURY.
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The inspector may be obliged to make any C1 hazards safe before leaving the property.
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Code 2 (C2): POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
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Further Investigation (FI): FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED WITHOUT DELAY.
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Code 3 (C3): IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDED.
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Further C3 remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory.
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