If you’re a landlord or look after a commercial property, chances are you’ll need an EICR at some point.
But how often do you need one, how much does it cost and what actually causes an EICR to fail?
What is an EICR?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report.
It’s a check of the fixed electrics in a property, including things like wiring, sockets, switches, consumer units, distribution boards, earthing and RCD protection. The aim is to spot faults, damage or anything that could create an electrical safety risk.
Once the inspection is complete, the report will show whether the installation is satisfactory or whether work is needed.
How often do landlords need an EICR?
For rented properties in England, landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years. Sometimes the electrician may recommend another inspection sooner, so it’s always worth checking the date shown on your current report.
You don’t normally need a new EICR every time a tenant moves in either. If you already have a valid report and it hasn’t reached its next inspection date, it can usually continue to be used.
How often do commercial properties need an EICR?
Commercial properties are a little different, as there isn’t one set frequency that suits every building. How often testing is needed depends on things like:
- The age and condition of the electrics
- How the building is used
- The type of equipment on site
- The amount of wear and tear
- The environment the installation is in
A small office may have very different testing needs to a warehouse, factory or workshop. If you already have an EICR, the recommended date for your next inspection should be shown on the report.If you’ve moved into a commercial property and don’t know when the electrics were last checked, it’s worth getting an inspection booked.
What fails an EICR?
An EICR will be classed as unsatisfactory if we find a C1, C2 or FI issue. You’ll usually see one of the following codes on the report:
C1 – Danger present
There’s an immediate safety risk and the problem needs making safe straight away.
C2 – Potentially dangerous
The issue could become dangerous and needs to be fixed.
C3 – Improvement recommended
Something could be improved, but it isn’t currently considered dangerous. A C3 on its own does not cause an EICR to fail.
FI – Further investigation needed
We’ve found something that needs looking into further before we can confirm the installation is safe.
What are the most common EICR problems?
There isn’t one single thing that causes an EICR to fail, but there are a few issues we see regularly. These can include:
- Damaged sockets, switches or wiring
- Problems with earthing or bonding
- Faulty or missing RCD protection
- Signs of overheating
- Loose electrical connections
- Poorly installed electrical work
- Older alterations that haven’t been carried out correctly
An EICR helps pick up these problems before they turn into something more serious.
Does an old fuse board automatically fail an EICR?
No. An older fuse board or consumer unit doesn’t automatically mean the property will fail. We look at the condition and safety of the installation rather than simply judging it on age. An older installation can still be safe, while a newer one can fail if there are faults or poor electrical work.
How much does an EICR cost?
The cost depends mainly on the size of the property and how much there is to test. At JPR Electrical, our current domestic EICR prices are:
- 1-bedroom property – £130
- 2 to 3-bedroom property – £150
- 4+ bedroom property – £180
Commercial EICRs are usually quoted individually, as every building is different. A small office may only have a limited number of circuits, while a warehouse or industrial unit could have several distribution boards and much more to test. If you need a commercial EICR, we can talk through the property with you first and give you a clear price.
What happens if an EICR is unsatisfactory?
If your EICR comes back as unsatisfactory, it doesn’t necessarily mean the whole electrical installation needs replacing. It simply means we’ve found one or more issues that need attention.
For landlords in England, remedial work or further investigation normally needs to be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says otherwise. For commercial properties, we can explain what we’ve found and help plan any work around the business to keep disruption to a minimum.
Got a question? Give us a call!
Whether your current EICR certificate is coming up for renewal or you’re not sure when the property was last checked, we can help. JPR Electrical is an NICEIC Approved Contractor, and we’ll keep the whole process simple, from booking the inspection through to explaining the results.
Get in touch with JPR Electrical to book your EICR or request a quote.
