EICR: Electrical Installation Condition Reports
Moved into a home, selling one, letting one, or been asked for an EICR? An Electrical Installation Condition Report is an inspection and test of the wiring already in a property. It sets out the condition of the installation and anything that needs attention.
AJS carries out EICRs across Redhill, Reigate, Tadworth and Nutfield. Call or send a message to arrange one.
What an EICR checks
According to Electrical Safety First, the inspection is there to:
Find overloading. Reveal if any electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded.
Find risks. Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
Find poor work. Identify any defective electrical work.
Check earthing. Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.
It looks at the fixed wiring in the property, not the appliances you plug in. Electrical Safety First says it should only be carried out by an electrically competent person, who then issues the report.
When people ask for one
Your own home. Electrical Safety First recommends an inspection every 10 years for a home you own and live in.
Buying a home. It also recommends one before buying a home someone has lived in. In one AJS job, the buyers asked for the test themselves.
Selling a home. It recommends one before selling, so the condition of the wiring is known.
Letting a home. It recommends one when a property is being prepared for letting, and every 5 years for a rented home.
Rented homes and landlords
Government guidance for England says landlords must have the electrical installation in a rented home inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. The guidance now covers social rented homes as well as private ones. A landlord must:
Existing tenants: give them a copy of the report within 28 days.
New tenants: give them a copy before they move in.
Prospective tenants: give them a copy within 28 days of asking.
The local council: give it a copy within 7 days of asking.
Work the report asks for: complete it within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, and confirm in writing within 28 days of finishing it.
Landlords certifications are on the AJS list of services: electrical inspection and testing for rented property, with a written report setting out the condition of the installation and anything that needs attention.
EICRs AJS has carried out
On Checkatrade, AJS customers describe EICRs on a home they had just moved into, on homes being sold, and for buyers who wanted the wiring tested. Several describe the report followed by the work it recommended, from light replacements to a new fuse board. Every item on the report is given a code, and EICR codes explained sets out what C1, C2, C3 and FI mean.
Every review here is copied word for word from Checkatrade. You can read the full list on Checkatrade and Google.
A home the customer had just moved into
“We recently had Alex in to give the house we recently moved into a proper electrical safety assessment. He was very courteous and did a full system check and provided us with a complete EICR check at the end of the process. Already planning to have him come back in and do some repair work for us.”
Checkatrade review, EICR report, RH1
A test the buyers asked for
“Our purchasers wanted a full electric test and they instructed AJs. Alex was highly professional, prompt and experienced. He carried out a detailed check and we are waiting for the results from the checks. Would recommend for their prompt service.”
Checkatrade review, electrical testing due to selling house, CR5
Common questions
Is an EICR the same as an electrical certificate?
No. A certificate records new work. An EICR reports on the condition of the wiring that is already there. The electrical certificates guide explains the difference.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
A report is unsatisfactory when it lists a C1 or C2 item. The items it lists need putting right, and the codes show how urgent each one is. EICR codes explained goes through them.
Does an older house always fail?
No. Age alone does not decide it. Does my house need rewiring? explains why condition matters more than age.
What should i send?
The address area, the type of property, and why the report is needed: your own home, a sale, a purchase or a letting. A photo of the fuse box helps.
Need an EICR?
Call, or send a message on WhatsApp saying what the report is for. It is the same process whichever of the electrical services available you need.