Warning! – Don't Compromise on EICRs

Landlords in England may unknowingly be jeopardising their tenants' safety by opting for the more budget-friendly choice when selecting an electrician for their Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

This cautionary note, recently published in Landlord Today, highlights that many landlords might not fully grasp the reasons behind the varying prices charged by electrical firms for Electrical Installation Condition Reports.

Under Section 5 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords bear the responsibility of scheduling an electrical inspection every five years. The regulation stipulates that landlords must engage a 'qualified and competent person' for this task.

It appears that many landlords are uncertain about how to discern who qualifies as 'qualified and competent' and often opt for the most economical choice.

Even more alarming and worth noting is that there are one-week and two-day courses claiming to train almost anyone to meet the minimal prerequisites for inspecting electrical installations. Consequently, many landlords might unknowingly be putting their tenants' safety on the line by choosing the cheapest electricians instead of the most qualified ones.

This issue has become so prevalent that some local councils with selective licensing regulations now insist that EICR certificates can only be issued by electricians registered with NIC/EIC or NAPIT.

While a lower price might appear tempting, it's crucial to remember that budget inspections won't deliver the level of detail necessary to ensure tenant safety. If a full inspection is not carried out you could be elevating the risk of fire in your property.

As a responsible landlord, you hold the duty to guarantee your tenants' safety and security in their homes. PR Lettings & Management strongly recommend using the services of a reputable company that engages only properly qualified NIC/EIC or NAPIT-registered electricians.

You can search for a registered competent tester on the Registered Competent Person Website.  You can also check on the Napit and NICEIC websites.