Letting out a property may not seem complex at first. However, as you get yourself into the process, there are lots of important things you will need to take care of. Obtaining electrical safety certificates is one of them. For every landlord, the value of an EICR certificate London cannot be overemphasized.
It provides landlords with an extra shield of protection while renting their properties out (be it commercial or residential).
Without an up-to-date electrical system in your rental property, you cannot cross the wall of letting your property. If your electrics do not meet the safety standards, in no way you can let your property out.
In this article, we intend to help you unfold the web of EICR and its related aspects. We believe the date we provide will be of great importance when it comes to ensuring your rental property’s electrical system is safe.
Without much ado, let us get started:
Are landlords legally bound to have an electrical certificate?
It is a no-brainer, not many give enough attention to this matter. Having an electrical safety certificate at your disposal means your rental property’s electrical installations, plug sockets and everything are tested and compliant with the Private Rented Sector Regulations. The document serves as proof of the property’s well-being in terms of electrics, and light fittings, among others.
Not every property owner needs an EICR, except for the ones who rent out their properties. This can include HMOs, with exceptions. Rental property owners must have proof that all of the electrical elements are current and compliant with the law. Legally, they are bound to obtain and show the document to the prospective tenants. Failing to do so can lead to a voided tenancy agreement.
The document serves the purpose of informing the local authority and tenants about whether a property’s electrical system is safe to live in and whether they are compliant with the existing regulations.
What’s involved in the electrical safety check?
During the inspection, a qualified electrician will check the following to ensure the electrical installations are safe in a property. If there are any:
- Overloaded plug sockets
- Systems that could cause accidental fire
- Risks of electric shock
- Defective electrical works
- Sockets or elements having a lack of earthing or bonding
The electrician will check the above-mentioned things during the safety check and determine how safe every element is. Then they will give ratings depending on the following ranking system:
- The C1 rating means there are potential risks of injury. Immediate electrical work is needed to address the issue.
- The C2 rating indicates potential hazards and therefore, the landlord must carry out remedial work as soon as possible.
- The C3 ranking system means that upgrades are required but they are not as urgent as the others.
Is everyone eligible for an EICR inspection?
Landlords must have a qualified and certified electrician at their disposal to have their properties’ electric systems inspected.
The concerned person must issue a consent declaration that the safety tests have been carried out. If there are suggestions of remedial or upgradation works that need to be carried out, the electrician should mention them too. This is to prevent the rental property from failing to meet legal standards and to protect the property from future damage.
Being a responsible landlord, you must ensure that the electrician gives you a written copy of the required changes, remedial work or upgrades.
Be it replacing or upgrading light bulbs, switching to dimmers or replacing plug sockets, it can be any form of remedial work that the electrician may suggest. Sometimes, they might suggest changing the entire consumer unit of your property.
Take the following steps while you are dealing with an electrician for obtaining an EICR or any remedial work:
- The qualified electrician must be clear on the electrical issues being found at the property. They must classify them as C1, C2 and C3 rank. Also, you need to ensure their proposals solve a particular issue. Thus, you will be able to take an informed decision on whether to pay for remedial works immediately or to leave things as they are.
- Make sure both of you agree to a timetable for a job to be completed. Also, get a written confirmation of works that have been done along with their dates of completion.
- Both of you should agree on the EICR test London costs along with any up-front costs. Also, ensure get everything written about the extra costs for material used in remedial works in advance.
- Keep receipts of everything and avoid exchanging cash most time.
- Do not hesitate to talk to your electrician in case you have any concerns regarding the changes to the property’s electrical systems and remedial work. Sort things out instantly before requesting any changes to save time, money and the hassle of unnecessarily prolonging the work.
- Upon completion of all the remedial work suggested by the electrician, be sure to ask for a copy of an EICR mentioning all the changes being made at your property.
Still, have questions regarding obtaining an EICR certificate and learn about the EICR test cost in London? Consider getting in touch with EICR Certificate London. Or if you are considering having an inspection of your property’s electrical system, do not wait until the last minute. Schedule an inspection with one of our industry experts and future-proof your rental property for years to come.
