Since the regulation changes in the private rented sector on 1st June 2020 landlords now have a legal duty of care to make sure that the electrical installation is safe for tenants by having a test and inspection carried out by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years.
Landlords are required by law to ensure;
- • That the electrical installation in a rented property is safe when tenants move in and maintained in a safe condition throughout its duration.
- • That a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has a periodic inspection carried out on the property every five years.
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) – formerly known as a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) – is a process of testing and inspection, and subsequent reporting on the safety of the electrical installation fixed wiring, fixtures and fittings.
The electrical installation should be safe for continued use. In practice, if the report does not require investigative or remedial work, the landlord will not be required to carry out any further work.
Inspectors will use the following classification codes to indicate where a landlord must undertake remedial work.
- Code 1 (C1): Danger present. Risk of injury. The electrical inspector may make any C1 hazards safe before leaving the property.
- Code 2 (C2): Potentially dangerous.
- Further Investigation (FI): Further investigation required without delay.
- Code 3 (C3): Improvement recommended. Further remedial work is not required for the report to be deemed satisfactory.
If codes C1 or C2 are identified in on the report, then remedial work will be required. The report will state the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use.
If an inspector identifies that further investigative work is required (FI), the landlord must also ensure this is carried out.
The C3 classification code does not indicate remedial work is required, but only that improvement is recommended. Landlords don’t have to make the improvement, but it would improve the safety of the installation if they did.
PH Technical Services regularly carry out EICR safety inspections and are approved contractors within both the NICEIC & ECA accreditation schemes.
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