Landlord EICR in Braintree CM7

This page explains what a landlord EICR involves, when to arrange one and what to do with the result. Braintree Electrical Services covers Braintree, Witham, Halstead, Coggeshall and Kelvedon, and you can start with the enquiry form.

EICR stands for electrical installation condition report. For a landlord, it is a record of the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a rented property: the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and the circuits that feed them. It is much more than a glance at the fuse box.

The inspection combines a visual check with testing. The electrician looks at the accessible parts of the installation for damage, wear, overloading and signs of poor earlier work. They then test the circuits to see whether protective devices, earthing and bonding do their job. They do not normally lift every floorboard, so any areas that could not be reached should be noted in the report.

The result is a condition report EICR that lists any observations, each with a code showing how urgent it is. The overall outcome is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory means something needs attention before the installation can be treated as safe to continue using. Some people call the document an EICR certificate, but the report and its findings are what matter, so keep it safe.

For most privately rented homes in England, landlords have a legal requirement to ensure the electrical installation is inspected and tested by a suitably qualified person at regular intervals, and to give tenants a copy of the report. Rules differ elsewhere in the UK and for some types of property, and they can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position, including how often and who must receive a copy.

Beyond the legal timing, there are sensible moments to arrange a landlord EICR:

Before a new tenancy begins, so you know the starting condition.

When the date for the next inspection shown on your last report is approaching.

After tenants report tripping circuits, flickering lights, warm sockets or a burning smell.

After an extension, rewire or major alterations.

When you have bought a property to let and have no recent report.

If you are buying or selling rather than letting, the EICR for Buying or Selling service may be the better fit.

The price of a landlord EICR depends mainly on the property. Size, the number of circuits and consumer units, the age and condition of the wiring, how easy it is to get at things and whether the property is occupied all play a part. Several properties in one go can also change how the work is arranged. Because every property differs, the sensible route is to describe it on the enquiry form.

The inspection and report is one job. Any repair work it uncovers is a separate job with its own scope and cost. A report cannot say in advance whether it will find nothing, a few small observations or a consumer unit that needs replacing. If remedial work is needed, ask for it to be described in writing so you can see what each item addresses. Consumer Unit Upgrades and general electrician work are both available if the report points that way.

If the report is unsatisfactory, do not leave it. Work that is necessary to remove a risk should be carried out within the period set by the report and the rules that apply to your tenancy. Check GOV.UK for the current requirements. Where faults are found, get the work done by a qualified electrician and ask for written confirmation that it has been completed.

Keep the report, any follow-up paperwork and the certificates for repair work together with your other property records. Tenants, letting agents and councils may ask to see them, and having everything to hand saves time.

A clear report gives you peace of mind that the wiring and other fixed systems have been checked. It also shows that you take electrical safety seriously on behalf of your tenants. It does not replace sensible habits, so remind tenants to report faults early and not to overload sockets.