Rental legislation regarding EICRs

[Sb8389]

Hi guys
We are currently undergoing quite a lot of EICRs through Letting agencies and finding that they are way behind getting them all completed before the April deadline and they don’t really seem that concerned either ?‍ I’m just wondering weather any of you currently carrying them out are Upto date with them or are the agencies anticipating a delay with the deadline due to current climate everyone is in at the moment. Do you think a delay will happen or will the local authorities dish out the relevant fines?

 

[Lister1987]

Hi guys
We are currently undergoing quite a lot of EICRs through Letting agencies and finding that they are way behind getting them all completed before the April deadline and they don’t really seem that concerned either ?‍ I’m just wondering weather any of you currently carrying them out are Upto date with them or are the agencies anticipating a delay with the deadline due to current climate everyone is in at the moment. Do you think a delay will happen or will the local authorities dish out the relevant fines?

I think they'll cite Covid as extenuating circumstances and extend the deadline, or scrap it altogether.

 

[Deleted account]

Ive got nine to do before April. No way will I get them done.

ive informed All customers this may be the case and they may need to g9 elsewhere if they want them done in time.

some have tried but come back to me as no other sparkies are taking on any more. I know I’m not.

 

[wozzer66]

I have loads to get done but some people just won't have you in yet, combined with working from home and home schooling don't want power off

 

[Sb8389]

I have loads to get done but some people just won't have you in yet, combined with working from home and home schooling don't want power off

Exactly same situation I’m finding, i can’t see the whole country getting done (rentals) in the next 2/3 months, I’m just curious weather they will wait till last minute to decide weather to extend or not as I’m sure plenty of landlords will be getting very worried come March time and there properties are not done.

 

[brianmoooore]

In my experience of testing electrics in rental properties, where the tenant has been DIYing for a few years, the EICR is going to be peppered with C2s and the odd C1, so what happens then? Waiting for remedials and a satisfactory EICR. It'll be years before all rentals are up to scratch.
Another case of Government good intentions without a clue about the practicalities.

 

[SJD]

I have one letting agent on top of this who started last July (I've done around 60 for them so far) because they realised they couldn't get them all done this March. And another letting agent who has only just started thinking about it (I've only done 2 for them so far) and there is no way they can get them all done in time, but they don't seem too bothered.

The people who do seem bothered are private landlords, who tend to panic and also don't generally realise they get extra time for any remedials. Actually it's been an eye-opener how many of my existing customers also happen to have a rental flat or two that I didn't know about.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Exactly same situation I’m finding, i can’t see the whole country getting done (rentals) in the next 2/3 months, I’m just curious weather they will wait till last minute to decide weather to extend or not as I’m sure plenty of landlords will be getting very worried come March time and there properties are not done.

The law is the law and because of the lock down, does not give the landlord a excuse for unsafe electrics., they have had plenty of time., this law was passed, I have done two inspections both failed.
So it's down to them, I can see a lot of landlords being proscuted.
Judge so what do you think you could get away with it, all it takes a fire in a property and some one gets killed or injured.
Goes in the national press landlord proscuted for failer of electrics.
There will be a lot of land Lords screaming do me now. Love judge dredd.

 

[Highresdis]

BTW, I had an email from a landlord client, I did a landlord EICR for him in 2018, he's been told by his agency to ask if the installation complies with the 18th edition. Not sure what to tell him, tbh.

 

[brianmoooore]

BTW, I had an email from a landlord client, I did a landlord EICR for him in 2018, he's been told by his agency to ask if the installation complies with the 18th edition. Not sure what to tell him, tbh.

That's an easy one to answer. Unless whoever did the installation was extremely good at predicting the future, or just plain lucky, then it won't.
Looks like we have to educate the agencies as well.

 

[Highresdis]

That's an easy one to answer. Unless whoever did the installation was extremely good at predicting the future, or just plain lucky, then it won't.
Looks like we have to educate the agencies as well.

Sure. It wasn't installed to the 18th edition, and it also wasn't tested to the 18th edition. But, looking back at my cert, I'm pretty sure it would be a satisfactory outcome if tested now, so I don't know how to give a nuanced reply.

 

[westward10]

No it is not fully compliant to the 18th Ed however this does not necessarily mean it is not safe for continued use.

 

[brianmoooore]

It can be totally satisfactory and "pass" the inspection without conforming to the 18th. It's not required to.
Any new EICR will be done to the 18th, and any non compliance, with a few well discussed exceptions, listed as a C3.

 

[SJD]

Sure. It wasn't installed to the 18th edition, and it also wasn't tested to the 18th edition. But, looking back at my cert, I'm pretty sure it would be a satisfactory outcome if tested now, so I don't know how to give a nuanced reply.

Just say it was tested to the regulations in force at the time. It might well be satisfactory if tested now, but in the 2 to 3 years that have elapsed, there could be damaged accessories, pendants now showing basic insulation, etc, so you'd need to revisit before you could issue any new EICR,

 

[brianmoooore]

so you'd need to revisit before you could issue any new EICR,

Definitely. EICRs are like car MOTs - a snapshot at the time of testing.
You might damage the sidewall of a tyre on your way home, and someone might drill through a cable the same day.