Or as is the correct name, Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is something I see over and over again to be neglected in more properties I can count, but remains an essential element to your property’s good general condition and safety.
While domestic landlords are now legally required to have 5 yearly electrical inspection in their rental properties, there is no law stating this inspection needs to be done at any given time which potentially leaves your electrical installation with electrical hazards and an accident waiting to happen.
But why any home owner should consider of having an electrical inspection? (For privately owned houses is recommended to be inspected every 10 years).
Before we proceed, a note. Very often I hear customers calling them certificates. This is not what an EICR is though. An EICR is exactly what it says on the tin. A report on the condition of your electrical installation and no repairs usually will take place on the same day.
The main objective of an EICR is to evaluate the condition of your electrical installation, identify potential hazards such faulty and/or deteriorated wiring, overloaded circuits, botched electrics or wrong type of accessories used in a particular area ie a pendant light in a bathroom or an indoor socket installed in the garden.
Faulty wiring and DIYed electrics can cause harm to you and your family, and are also a fire hazard as connections to be left loose in not something uncommon.
An EICR will ensure your electrical installation is compliant with the current electrical safety standards (BS7671), which in turn will ensure that you and your family are protected to the maximum the electrical industry can offer at the time. This is also something that will work to your benefit in a case of an insurance claim for damages to your property. Although many insurers may not ask for an EICR to be included in your premium, it’s very likely they will ask if there was one in place in a case of a claim for electrical related damages.
Nothing is meant to last forever right? Regular EICRs will allow you to keep track of the condition of your electrical installation and plan ahead. One of the tests we do during an EICR is to ascertain the quality of the copper that the wires are made from. If our readings are getting very low this will mean a rewire will be needed sooner or later. Because you are having regular inspections it means you have plenty of time to plan ahead for the rewire and also budget for it, it’s not usual for people to arrange this to be done during a family holiday.
An EICR will add value to your property and offer you peace of mind. The latter because you can rest assure you and your loved ones living in a safe environment. The first not so much that will increase the monetary value of your home if you decide to sell but more of that you will be certain no unforeseen rewires will be needed days before you exchange contracts with your buyer.
Asking of an EICR is almost the norm during the buying process of a property and many times I had to break the bad news to my seller client that their electrical installation is in a bad state which led them to have to renegotiate a lower price with their buyers.
Do you think your home may need an EICR? Get in touch today!
