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?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I do all the electricals for a local letting agent, I have 12 EICRs to carry out with many more in pipeline. During lockdown 1 and 2 we were lucky in Bath. Very few cases and most of the rentals were empty. So got them done. Have done 41 EICRs since May last year.
Locally cases have gone up. New strain spreads more and with latest lockdown cant do them. Where there has been c2 or c1s the 28 day window is meaningless in current climate due to covid etc... Its as soon as possible. Any major c1 i would fix there and then.
Work is backing up and getting to the point where i cant book more.

 

[Highresdis]

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,

Thanks for the replies.

Just for my understanding, does the new law require that the landlord obtains a new EICR against the new regulations, even though the 5 years have not yet elapsed?

 

[loz2754]

An existing satisfactory EICR done since 2019 that is still in date is acceptable according to the guidance on gov.uk.
Here is the full excerpt:

If an inspection took place and a satisfactory report was issued before the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations came into force, but less than 5 years ago, will a landlord always need to have the property inspected again as soon as the Electrical Safety Regulations come into force?
Regulation 3 requires that landlords have the electrical installation inspected and tested at intervals of no longer than every 5 years. Electrical safety standards (the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations) must be met throughout the period of that tenancy.

The 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations came into effect in 2019, so if a landlord already has a report for a property that was carried out after this date and has complied with all the other requirements of the Regulations, they won’t have to have another inspection for 5 years, provided the report does not state that the next inspection should take place sooner.

Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the Wiring Regulations may not comply with the 18th edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.

It is good practice for landlords with existing reports to check these reports and decide whether the electrical installation complies with electrical safety standards. Landlords might also wish to contact the inspector who provided a report to ensure the installation complies with electrical safety standards.

 

[Deleted account]

Thanks for the replies.

Just for my understanding, does the new law require that the landlord obtains a new EICR against the new regulations, even though the 5 years have not yet elapsed?

No he doesn’t need another. If an EICR was done in 2017. and it was given 5 years. Then it does not have to be don3 again until 2022.

at the rate I’m going some of mine won’t get done til then anyway.

 

[pc1966]

Just for my understanding, does the new law require that the landlord obtains a new EICR against the new regulations, even though the 5 years have not yet elapsed?

As already stated, if you have a valid EICR that holds.

Even with the change in regulations to 18th in 2019 (and possible amendments that follow) it does not follow that an older installation would be unsafe, which is the issue for anything coded C2 or C1 that needs attention. That is important, though unfortunately to some degree means the judgment of the inspector gets to call on and non-18th aspects.

For interest you can look over the best practice guide #4 here:

https://www.----------------------------/professional-resources/best-practice-guides/

Edited to add: Sorry, just saw you are an electrician so know that already!

 

[Highresdis]

As already stated, if you have a valid EICR that holds.

Even with the change in regulations to 18th in 2019 (and possible amendments that follow) it does not follow that an older installation would be unsafe, which is the issue for anything coded C2 or C1 that needs attention. That is important, though unfortunately to some degree means the judgment of the inspector gets to call on and non-18th aspects.

For interest you can look over the best practice guide #4 here:

https://www.----------------------------/professional-resources/best-practice-guides/

Edited to add: Sorry, just saw you are an electrician so know that already!

No worries, thanks for the message.

Just wanted to check how to respond to an old EICR customer who was getting some questions from their letting agent.