What happens if an EICR fails?

Has your rental property in Nottingham failed an EICR? You may be wondering what you need to do if your report has come back as unsatisfactory. Definitive Electrical Solutions work closely with landlords, property agents and letting agents, we have the expertise and skills required to not only conduct an EICR but carry out remedial work to make sure your property is free of electrical faults and hazards.

1) What is an EICR?

An electrical installation condition report is an inspection of the electrical systems of a property. Any switches, sockets, wiring and lighting is inspected along with the fuse box or consumer unit.
The report identifies areas of concern, potential hazards and electrical faults. An EICR can only be issued by a professional electrician such as Definitive Electrical Solutions and must be conducted every 5 years.

2) Why might an EICR be unsatisfactory?

An unsatisfactory report is due to faults found during an inspection, faults are assigned the following codes.

• C1- Indicates high risk and immediate action must be taken to make the area as safe as possible.
• C2- Classed as potentially dangerous, urgent action is also needed to remedy the faults as soon as possible.
• FI-Further investigation is required without delay.
• C3- Recommendations are made to fix any faults but this does not mean the faults need to be fixed.

If the report comes back as unsatisfactory, the property must be vacated if occupied. If the property is empty, the check in date for any tenants must be delayed until the faults are corrected.

3) A failed EICR, what happens next?

As a landlord based in Nottingham, it can be quite worrying if an EICR comes back as unsatisfactory. Delaying tenants from occupying your rental property will result in a delayed rental income for you.

Definitive Electrical Solutions are here to help, with over 25 years experience in the electrical trade, we’ve seen it all and find no hurdle too high.

Any electrical issues assigned codes C1, C2 or F1 must be remedied by a qualified electrician immediately. As a landlord, you have 28 days to ensure the issues are rectified.

Once corrective work has taken place, an electrical professional such as Definitive Electrical Solutions must provide written confirmation to the landlord after thorough inspection of all electrical aspects.

As a landlord, you don’t need to schedule another EICR after remedial work, once Definitive Electrical Solutions have fixed all faults highlighted in the initial report. We would be responsible for updating the EICR with the remedial work we carried out.

The landlord now has 28 days to notify any tenants and the local authority within 28 days. In fact, tenants should be provided with a copy of the newly conducted EICR.

4) Importance of EICRs

20,000 house fires still occur every year in the UK, the majority caused by electrical faults. The purpose of ECIRs is to ensure tenants are safe in electrically sound properties.

As a landlord is in possession of a valid and satisfactory EICR, they cannot be held accountable if in the unfortunate event there is a problem with an electrical appliance in a rental property.

Additionally, some home insurance policies may be null and void if a valid and unsatisfactory EICR is not provided or available. It is your legal obligation as a landlord to ensure your property is electrically safe and that there is no risk of electrical fires or electrocution.

If it’s time to have your rental property inspected, book your EICR with Definitive Electrical Solutions today. If unfortunately your rental property in Nottingham has failed an EICR? Our qualified electricians can assist you too. Call us today.