Guide to Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)

Electrical installations deteriorate over time due to age and use, making regular inspections vital for safety. From June 2020, private landlords in England must conduct periodic inspections every five years. These inspections help identify overloaded circuits, potential shock risks, fire hazards, defective work, and missing earthing or bonding. In this blog post, we'll explain how Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) work and why they're important.

Inspection Frequency

• Owner-occupied homes: every 10 years
• Rented homes: every 5 years
• Caravans: every 3 years
• Swimming pools: annually

Inspections should also occur when preparing a property for letting, selling, or buying previously-occupied homes.

What happens during an inspection

Only competent, registered electricians should perform these checks, evaluating conditions against BS 7671 standards (IET Wiring Regulations). Inspections cover aspects like earthing adequacy, condition of switchgear, sockets, and wiring, including older types like black rubber or fabric-coated cables that may need replacement. Modern standards require PVC-insulated wiring for durability and safety. Electricians will check:

• Earthing and bonding adequacy.
• Suitability of switchgear, replacing outdated fuse boxes or switches if needed.
• Serviceability of switches, sockets, and fittings, replacing older types like round-pin sockets or skirting board-mounted switches.
• Condition and type of wiring; old materials like lead or fabric coating suggest a need for updating.
• Protection for sockets supplying outdoor equipment, ensuring RCD (Residual Current Device) protection.
• Proper identification and safety notices.
• Wear, tear, damage, or other signs of deterioration.
• Changes in property use that might affect electrical safety.

After the inspection, the electrician issues an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, and hazardous conditions. If any part of the installation is found to be dangerous or potentially dangerous, the installation will be marked as ‘unsatisfactory,’ requiring immediate remedial action to rectify safety risks. This process ensures that any unsafe conditions are promptly addressed, maintaining a safe environment for occupants.