Not sure if your property is due an Electrical Installation Condition Report? Answer three quick questions and you'll know where you stand.
Am I due an EICR?
What is an EICR?
An EICR is a full check of the fixed wiring in a property: the consumer unit, the circuits, the sockets, the switches and the earthing. A qualified electrician tests everything and writes up anything that's dangerous, anything that could become dangerous and anything that doesn't meet today's standards.
It isn't a quick look round. A typical house takes a few hours, and you get a written report at the end that tells you whether the installation is satisfactory or not.
How often do you need one?
| Property | How often |
|---|---|
| A home you own and live in | At least every 10 years, and whenever you buy or sell a house. |
| A home you rent out | At least every 5 years. For most UK landlords this is the law, and your tenants need a copy of the report. |
| Business premises | At least every 5 years, or sooner if the inspector says so on the last report. |
These are the longest gaps. If the last report recommended an earlier date, go by that.
Signs you shouldn't wait
Whatever the date on your last report, get an electrician out if you notice any of these:
- The electrics keep tripping, or a fuse keeps blowing
- A burning smell, or scorch marks round a socket or switch
- Sockets or plugs that feel warm
- Lights that flicker or dim when something else switches on
- An old fuse box with wire fuses, or no RCD protection
- Buzzing or crackling from a socket, switch or the consumer unit
This checker is a rough guide only. It can't see your wiring, so if you're worried about anything, speak to a registered electrician.
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