EIC and EICR issues

[Googers]

Hi folks, first time poster and soon-to-be landlord's assistant (letting my partner's property out now that she's moved in). We've just had a new consumer unit installed and an EIC produced for the works as required, and the electrician told us he checked every socket and circuit as part of his works - even replaced two faulty sockets during his checks.

Given that he's tested everything (wording from our invoice below states as such) we are wondering if the EIC can be used in place of an EICR. As it's likened to an MOT, you wouldn't MOT a new car, but then a new CU and circuit checks is more of an engine replacement than a new car, yadda yadda...

Invoice states:
1 NEW FUSE BOARD . Replace old fuse board . Supply and fit new 10-way RCBO fuse board with SPD Surge protection . Upgrade meter tails to 25mm . Upgrade main earth to 16mm . Upgrade gas earth bonding to 10mm . Upgrade water earth bonding to 10mm if the existing 6mm is not connected . Test all circuits . Issue Electrical Certificate*

*t's and c's

Anyway, we are supposed to have tenants moving in tomorrow but as we only have the EIC and not the EICR, the agent isn't budging. Has anyone got any experience with using an EIC and supporting info to show that all areas have been checked, or are we going to have to try and arrange an additional check that will delay the tenancy?

Cheers!

 

[Risteard]

We get this a lot . I try and explain that the . original EICR cover the whole installation stating what is correct and well as what is wrong. The EIC and or minor works states that the observations( the wrong bits) have now been corrected . So now you have all paper work to confirm that the installation is safe .If they want an EICR then that's a separate job and should be charged for separately. Then you open a can of worms and find things that the first electrian missed and issue them an unsatisfactory report ?

Indeed. I think I've only ever issued about two "satisfactory" reports. And on those two I was probably being unduly generous.

 

[Micktw68]

We get this a lot . I try and explain that the . original EICR cover the whole installation stating what is correct and well as what is wrong. The EIC and or minor works states that the observations( the wrong bits) have now been corrected . So now you have all paper work to confirm that the installation is safe .If they want an EICR then that's a separate job and should be charged for separately. Then you open a can of worms and find things that the first electrian missed and issue them an unsatisfactory report ?

Thats pretty much word for word what I was trying to explain to the agent, all she kept banging on about was the guild of estate agents (who knew there was such a thing) not willing to accept anything other than a Satisfactory EICR.

 

[James]

Thats pretty much word for word what I was trying to explain to the agent, all she kept banging on about was the guild of estate agents (who knew there was such a thing) not willing to accept anything other than a Satisfactory EICR.

So do the repairs, issue mw cert or installation cert for what you have done.
Insert covering letter to say items 2 3 and 5 on original report have been repaired to a suitable standard.
Attach a quote for a full eicr.

Quids inn?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Thats pretty much word for word what I was trying to explain to the agent, all she kept banging on about was the guild of estate agents (who knew there was such a thing) not willing to accept anything other than a Satisfactory EICR.

Just as we would with anyone who says that an installation does not comply, ask for the Guild guide lines that say they can not accept anything other than an EICR, incidentally I can't find any organisation called "The Guild of Estate Agents" there is a "Guild of Property Professionals" and I doubt if there is anything that specific within their constitution.

 

[Garethley]

if you change a DB then the relevant tests have to be made,& a. EIC issued I do believe.

One should carry out a complete test irrespective as the CU would impact on the enitre installation?

 

[Flanders]

Thats pretty much word for word what I was trying to explain to the agent, all she kept banging on about was the guild of estate agents (who knew there was such a thing) not willing to accept anything other than a Satisfactory EICR.

That's the problem with all electrical reports and certs, they are not easy for the layman to understand .all they know it has to say satisfactory on it. We could do with an official document in plain English that explains what paper work required for these scenarios. Then we can pass this to the customer and they don't just have to take our word for it .

 

[Mike Johnson]

How about a document that shows what the results of each test should be as well? Discuss.

 

[Micktw68]

Just as we would with anyone who says that an installation does not comply, ask for the Guild guide lines that say they can not accept anything other than an EICR, incidentally I can't find any organisation called "The Guild of Estate Agents" there is a "Guild of Property Professionals" and I doubt if there is anything that specific within their constitution.

That was it Mike. All I kept thinking of was The Disc world guild of assassins .

 

[Mike Johnson]

Turn it all around and put her on the spot and ask for a copy of the documentation that says they can only accept a "Satisfactory" EICR.

 

[Micktw68]

So do the repairs, issue mw cert or installation cert for what you have done.
Insert covering letter to say items 2 3 and 5 on original report have been repaired to a suitable standard.
Attach a quote for a full eicr.

Quids inn?

I’ve done the repairs James, Issued MW & EIC , shes come back and asked for a “satisfactory” EICR. I said if she wants another EICR in addition to the first one shes been issued (by another electrician) it’ll be £--- . I await her response. (and payment for the remedials)

 

[Micktw68]

Turn it all around and put her on the spot and ask for a copy of the documentation that says they can only accept a "Satisfactory" EICR.

Will do. I’d like to see the doc for myself.