Updating post from Reddit.
Hello dear members,
Just needed some advice from a more experienced landlord.
I have purchased a terraced house which needed a full refurbishment as it was seriously delapidated.
A full refurb was required minus any electrical or plumbing work.
The previous property owner forwarded me the previous EICR which is valid till 08/2026
What I want to know is, should I really be getting a fresh new EICR inspection done, or should I just use the previous EICR which is valid till 08/2026?
I have spent over 15k on this refurb so I don't really want to be spending on anything more of not needed.
I will be getting a new gas safety certificate done ofcourse as it's a yearly requirement anyway
Any help much appreciated
If it passed and was carried out by a qualified electrician yes, it's valid. But to be fair given than expires next year you may well get it done now with the property vacant to avoid hassle (coordination with tenants to agree appointment or work if something needs to be done) and for extra peace of mind.
This is the kind of reply I was preferring to get. Thank you
How old does it say the property/electrics are
If its getting to 30 years you might need a rewire
From experience you do not need a new one for every new tenant.
Whilst yours is still valid for peace of mind I would get a new one if you have had extensive work done at the property.
This is the kind of reply I was preferring to get. Thank you
Get another 5 years in now while it’s empty and gutted.
Im an electrician. So here is my two pennies.
First it’s required every 5 years.
Second do it now because it’s empty. It will be much easier to get any remedial work done. Smokes might be out of date. Other other stuff might have happened.
Three get someone who makes their money from the eicr not the remedial work. Certain garages will always fail a car on a mot and charge for work. Certain electricians will do the same.
Four. Unless something awful has gone on you won’t need to rewire a property at 30 years. Most 60 year old wiring is still fine. PVC twin and earth for the most part doesn’t degrade quickly at all.
Appreciate sharing your insight. On your point 3, how do you find or actually know if someone is making money for the EICR and not the remedial work ?
Price is half way there. If it’s cheap they need to find work to make it worthwhile.
But some cowboys are expensive. So recommendation.
Finally it works both ways. I could get an eicr from someone who didn’t come into the house. But a propper eicr is actually helpful to a landlord. It makes sure your property is safe and can resolve problems before them become issues
If its valid it is fine , but you really should get one done at the start of a new tenancy ,you can't be sure the tenant leaving hasnt done something ,or in fact the electrics are safe .
The EICR is valid for 5 years, so why would I need to get a new EICR done every time I need tenant moves in?
Just because the EICR is 5 years it doesn't mean the electrics are safe for the new tenant. The only way you know they are safe is getting a new one done
While I don't dispute what you are saying, why incur unnecessary cost when that is not legally required ?
I googled it and it says it's recommended but not compulsory, I can't see any landlord getting a new EICR done every time a tenancy changes.
My main point of question was... As the new owner of the property, should I get a fresh new EICR done or just use the previous owners EICR which is still valid till 08/2026
You answered your own question. It’s recommended. So if your new tenant gets an electric shock and takes you to Court, their case will revolve around the fact that you knew a re-test was recommended before they moved in but you chose not to do it to save a little bit of money.
My understanding is that if any changes were made to any of the electrics then the new one is required.
Nope. Depending on the works it’s either a minor works cert or an Eic. An eic supersedes an eicr but good luck getting a letting agent to understand that.
For a landlord, reg3(2) applies for the timing of a new one - The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
If it's a property that requires a licence then there may be tightened by the council.
You need to do an EICR the sooner of every 5 years or change of tenants, so you will need to do a new EICR before your tenants move in
New EICR everytime a tenant changes?
Never heard that before. Sounds like BS...
It's in the regs book
No.
Here's the reg.
Point it out.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/regulation/3
(EDITED TO REMOVE ME CALLING THIS GUY A DA)
I was referring to BS7671. Which is where the said regulations for landlord guidance comes from
Nope. Not required.
Also, you are a rude prick.
If you ask a fully qualified electrician, we would say it's highly recommended, especially after any renovation work, regardless if it was related to the electrical or not. I'm answering it as an electrician, not a landlord.
Section 3.7, of gn3 relates directly to frequency of testing and states it should be done with each change of tenant.
So to change my previous answer, if you want to do your best to ensure the safety of your tenat, get a new test as it's a recommended.
From the British Landlords Association: “Landlords are legally obligated to ensure that their rental properties have a valid EICR, which must be renewed every five years or upon a change of tenancy, whichever comes first”
…later?
common misconception, it is whatever it says n the EICR for the next one, change of tenant is irrelevant.
I work for a council and ours is change of tenancy, but our rules can be different