Is Electrical Safety Certificate Compulsory for Landlords in the UK? Every FAQ Answered
If you are a landlord living in Wimbledon, Electrical Safety Certificates for your property(s) are a must for you. We don’t feel pleased to inform you that more than one in 10 house fires in the UK are a result of poor & faulty electrical appliances.
The UK law mandates checking the safety of all of your electrical installations, at least 5 times a year. However, getting the certificate and finding the right person to carry to understand and fulfil the legal obligations can be tricky.
While the legal requirements seem complicated, but if you approach the right organisation, they can get your electrical safety certified, with a very few simple & basic steps. This way, you can be resting easy in your house, knowing that your properties are safe & secured.
What is an electrical safety certificate?
An electrical safety certificate is a certificate issued by a qualified & licensed electrician of the UK, to show that the electrical installations in a property are working properly and safe to use. The inspections include checking of:
Wiring
Plug sockets
Light fittings
Fuse boxes
Permanent equipment (Showers, extractor fans, etc.)
The Electrical Safety Certificate in Wimbledon is also called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The report issued by the examining electrician shows the checks made by the inspector, actions of improvements that the landlord may need to take.
What does an electrical safety certificate show?
While there is no specific format of the report, it must state information on the following points:
Address every potential safety risks related to electrical installations
Reveal any poor electrical work
Highlight overloaded electrical circuits & equipment
Ensure proper earthing and bonding measures
Suggest improvements for better electrical safety.
Do Landlords in the UK compulsorily need an electrical safety certificate in 2021?
After the new regulations were issued in June 2020, it became compulsory for all landlords to get Electrical Safety Certificate in Wimbledon as well, for their rental properties. They even need to get it inspected every 5 years. The landlords must get a copy of the EICR report for:
Your records: A copy as evidence of inspection and to show to the inspector when getting your house checked next time.
Your Present or Prospective tenants – Shareacopy with them within 28 days of the inspection or 28 days of the request.
Local authorities – in case any local authority requests your EICR, you must share a copy of it within 7 days of the request.
Is it also compulsory to get electrical appliances checked?
Law only mandates checking of Fixed Installations. However, it says that it’s up to the landlords needs to make sure electrical appliances are safe to use as well. Hence, landlords should get other appliances checked as well such as fridge, toaster, dishwasher, washing machine etc. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) are a great option to check appliances in your rental property. It is suggested that landlords keep PAT handy for rented properties.
Recently bought a newly built property or got new electrical fittings?
If you recently bought a newly built property or you got yourself some new fancy electrical fittings, you’ll need to get your Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) immediately. You will need another inspection in about 5 years too.
What about homeowners?
While it’s not compulsory for homeowners, it is still suggested to get an Electrical Safety Certificate in Wimbledon. It is an important practice and it worth it. Just like the law says, we would suggest getting an inspection done, every 5 to 6 years.
How to get an electrical safety certificate
You need a qualified, designated electrical safety inspector to get your house inspected and obtain an Electrical Safety Certificate in Wimbledon. The task is carried by an electrician who is an approved contractor, and accredited by NICEIC, STROMA or the ECA. You can browse the Electrical Competent Person database issued by the UK government to find the best options.
And while we are at it, you can click this link – Electrician in Wimbledon and visit our website. Wired & Wonderful is an electrician company based in Wimbledon, UK. We can not only help you find the right electrical safety inspector, but we also provide great electrical services which ensure that your property always passes the electrical safety test. In our years of working, none of our clients has failed at the test.
Comments
Post a Comment