We are sharing some tried and tested guidelines on electrical safety test. and We offer cost effective electrical installation condition report in London, UK. Call our team of certified electricians for EICR testing Certificates by visiting here: https://www.electricworkslondon.co.uk/eicr-testing/

1. Your Friendly Guideline on
Electrical Safety Check

2. Introduction
The much anticipated mandatory electrical safety inspections for private
landlords was finally introduced by Her Majesty’s government in January 2020.
The regulations, titled The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented
Sector (England) Regulations 2020, were enforced since April 1 2020. The
regulations indeed changed the landscape of the private rented sector to a
great extent.
As per the legal requirements that were introduced, an EICR became
mandatory for all new tenancies since July 2020. Since 1 April 2021 the
mandatory EICR came to be applicable to all tenancies – both new and old.
In the following sections of this blog post let us explore what the regulations
actually mean for landlords and what exactly an EICR consists of. In addition to
that we will also find out what are the consequences when one fails to comply
with the regulations.

3. What were the existing regulations on the matter
before the EICR was made mandatory in 2020
The regulations related to electrical safety inspections for private landlords were
introduced in April 2020. Before that timeline only HMOs or Houses in Multiple
Occupation in England required a mandatory electrical inspection as per law. As far as
all other private tenancies were concerned, an EICR or Electrical Installation Condition
Report was recommended to be carried out every 5 years. But as such there was no
legal binding like now to have the EICR done.

4. What was the need to press
in the electrical regulations?
Making electrical safety checks mandatory for rental properties was a topic for
discussion for quite some time. Many landlords already follow the best electrical
practices. Yet the new regulation was pressed into effect to ensure tenants are safe
and properties are protected. In January 2019 the government introduced a number of
recommendations that also included mandatory needs for landlords to carry out
electrical checks in their rented properties every 5 years.
Finally the regulation came into effect since April 01 2020. It is applicable to every new
tenancy in England commencing onward July 01 2020. Since April 01 2021, the
regulation also covers every existing tenancy in England.

5. What does the new regulation
mean for landlords?
It sets out few duties for landlords which can be summed up as following –
Make sure that electrical safety standards are in compliance throughout the period when a residential premise is
occupied under a tenancy.
Make sure that every electrical installation within a residential property is tested and inspected by a qualified
individual at regular intervals. Regular intervals sum up to every 5 years if a report from an test and inspection does
not specify sooner.
After the test and inspection is done the landlord has to get a report from the qualified individual who carried out
the test mentioning the result of the inspection. It should also mention the date of the next inspection.
The landlord has to share a copy of the report with every tenant in the said property within 28 days following the
inspection.
If asked for a copy of the test report has to be submitted to the local buildings department within 7 days from
receiving the request.
The landlord also has to retain a copy of the report to the qualified individual who carries out the next test.
A copy of the latest report is also to be given to every new tenant and even prospective tenants who want to see it.

6. Electrical regulations for rented
properties in Wales and Scotland
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations
2020 is applicable only to England and not beyond. As far as Scotland is concerned,
rental properties have to follow the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. The regulation was
amended in 2015 to include an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and a
Portable Appliance Test (PAT) for landlords. In Scotland only a competent individual
must carry out electrical inspections and tests before the starting of a tenancy and
at an interval of every 5 years. Both existing and new tenants must get a copy of the
latest report.
As far as Wales is concerned, an EICR is not legally mandatory for single-let
properties. But when HMOs are concerned then it is needed.

7. More about electrical test and
inspection (EICR)
An EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report is also known as periodic inspection. It
must be carried out by a fully qualified and registered engineer. The inspection is
performed with the following objectives –
• Identify any potential fire hazard or risk of electric shock.
• Isolate any defective electrical work.
• Identify any lack in bonding or earthing.
• Identify any overloading circuit or electrical equipment.
Local authorities and even letting agents will accept certificates issued only by a qualified
electrical expert. Thus landlords have to hire only legitimate professionals to carry out
EICRs. An expert carrying out an EICR includes any defect, damage or potentially hazardous
condition in details so that it is easy to emphasise on the problem area.
If a property is supposed to be electrically unsafe, the report will be declared unsatisfactory
and remedial measures will be mentioned.

8. Does a landlord require permission to
access a rented property for an EICR?
Both landlords and letting agents have to serve tenants with a written
notice at least 24 hours in advance. Landlords, letting agents or
contractors none can to enter into a rented premise without getting
consent from the tenant.
Electrical checks are a legal necessity and thus it is expected tenants will
happily accommodate an inspection. But it is preferred that they should
be present during the inspection.

9. What happens when you have
unsafe electrics?
If an electrical safety check report (EICR) says your property is not electrically
safe as the landlord it is your sole responsibility to get the remedial work
recommended in the report done by a qualified individual. This work has to be
carried out within 28 days or within the timeline if mentioned in the report
starting from the date when the test and inspection was performed.
Once the remedial work is done the landlord has to obtain a written
confirmation from the qualified individual who carried out the remedial work
that corrective measures have been taken and the electrical safety standards
are now in compliance. This confirmation is then to be shared with every
tenant. A copy of it along with the original EICR is to be submitted to the local
buildings department.

10. Contact Us
Electric Works London
Website: https://www.electricworkslondon.co.uk/
Address: Unit 23 Shaftesbury Centre, 85 Barlby Road, London W10 6BN
Phone: 02071834006
Email: info@electricworkslondon.co.uk