What Are EICR Certificates and Why Are They Important?The EICR certificate is an essential document that will protect your property and people living there. It will reveal which electrical appliances are the most likely to cause shocks or fires.It will also examine the electrical fittings and installations in your home to make sure they are in compliance with the regulations. It is essential to conduct regular inspections as they can help prevent electrical injuries and accidents.Why do I require an EICR?In April 2021, all landlords in the private rental sector will have to comply with new legislation that requires an EICR certificate. This is applicable to both new tenancies as well as ones that have been renewed.An EICR is a crucial document that helps ensure the safety of your home. It outlines the electrical system's condition and any potential issues. This includes fire hazards, poor insulation, or faulty wiring.In many situations, these issues can be hard to spot but by performing regular EICR examinations, they can be identified before they become an issue and corrected. This will ensure the safety of lives and prevent serious injuries.The first step to obtain an EICR is to make an appointment for an appointment with a qualified electrician who can conduct the inspection. This will involve a visual examination of all electrics within the home, and look for signs of wear and tear such as broken cables or power switches.After the visual inspection has been completed the inspector will then conduct an electrical test series to verify that the property's electrical system is in line with the current standards. This involves both live (power on) and dead (power off) testing.While the majority of tests can be completed while your electrics are on, some tests require that they be switched off. This allows the tester to gain access to areas of the property that are otherwise difficult or even impossible.An EICR report, which includes information about the inspection and the test results, will be prepared after the test is complete. It will include recommendations to improve the safety of your electrical installations , as well as how to be in compliance with current standards for electrical safety.Some insurance companies will only provide cover if you have an up to date EICR certificate. This certificate can prove to be very helpful as it will show that you have taken the proper steps to avoid electrical issues within your home. It also safeguards your finances in case you need to make a claim against your insurer.What is an EICR?After an electrical inspection is completed, an EICR certificate has to be issued. It will reveal any issues with the electrical wiring of your home against the UK standard - BS7671 Requirements For Electrical Installations (IET Wiring Regulations).An EICR certificate can help you avoid costly repairs and damages by protecting you and your tenants from the dangers of short circuits and electrical fires. It also gives you assurance that you're in compliance with the law and will provide you with proof in the event of any insurance claims.The EICR will be carried out by a licensed electrician or an approved contractor who is regostered with the JIB, NICEIC or CPS scheme provider and has a good working knowledge of electrical installations. They will conduct a comprehensive visual inspection and test for potential faults. They will then prepare an EICR report and provide advice on any necessary work needed to bring the installation up to standards for safety.This can include replacing the sockets, fuses, and switches and re-wiring components of the installation, as well as other remedial work. The size of your installation will determine the amount of work required. However, it is important to discuss this with an engineer prior to the inspection.If the building is deemed to be in good condition , you will not need to have another one for five years. You will need to make arrangements for any work to be completed within 28 days of the date of publication.It is crucial to only employ experienced and skilled engineers who are able to produce an EICR that is of the highest standard. They should have taken an inspection course and testing and be registered with the JIB or CPS scheme provider.A qualified electrician will take a careful examination of the entire electrical installation and identify any issues or dangers that could be present. They will also make sure that all sockets and wiring are operating in a safe manner.How do I obtain an EICR?Electrical installations can pose dangers to your safety and should be regularly checked to ensure that they are working correctly. This is especially crucial if you lease your home and have a legal responsibility to make sure that the electrical systems are safe.Regular inspections of your property's wiring can help keep your customers and tenants secure while ensuring you are in compliance with the most current regulations. It will also give you peace of mind that your property's electrical systems are in good order and can save you money on legal fees in the event that you ever have to pay out for damage caused by an electric fire or shock.To obtain your EICR required, you must book an appointment with an electrician registered who will carry out an inspection and prepare the report. The electrician will assess the electrical system and look for any deterioration or faults that could be dangerous.If they find any problems they will mention the code number and the kind of issue that is identified in the report. These codes are vital as they allow the electrician to identify the parts of an electrical installation must be fixed as soon as possible.In some cases an inspector may suggest that you address the issue yourself. This is called "remediation" and you should know that the local authority is under obligations to complete repairs within 28 days.The engineer will then go over the report with you and give you advice on any necessary repairs. This could mean fixing certain areas of the electrical installation or replacing them altogether.You don't need to take any action immediately following the inspection, however it's a good idea to complete the repairs prior to when the tenant is moved in and before your EICR expires. Then, you'll be able show the inspector your current EICR when you sell your property and make it easier for you to convince potential buyers that your house is secure.You can make use of Tradify to quickly create, sign and store an EICR form -- it is linked to the project you're working on and automatically fills in the details of the contractor and customer. Once you're done, send it to your client for signature and you can deliver it!What happens if I don't have an EICR?It could have a huge impact on the conveyancing process if you don't hold an EICR certificate for the property that you are renting out. eicr certificates is advised to notify your lawyer as soon as possible about any problems so that they can help you resolve the issues as soon as they can.If you're renting flats or a house it's crucial to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This report makes sure that tenants can access the electrical wiring and sockets in your home safely.Additionally an EICR is a legal document that shows that your property is in compliance with certain safety standards and that you haven't knowingly broken any law. This is especially important for landlords who need protection against claims from tenants.Landlords are required to provide copies of the EICR to their tenants at the beginning of their tenancy, at the time they issue new contracts, and when they renew the tenancy. electrical certificate must also provide an original copy of the EICR to any prospective tenant who asks for it, within 28 days of their request.The regulations are applicable to all tenancies, including holiday rental properties, where the occupants aren't the family of the landlord. In electrical safety certificate , landlords may be unaware that their tenants need to have an EICR for the duration of their tenancy.A landlord who doesn't obtain a proper EICR can lose the right to rent the property or face fines up to PS30,000. This is because the landlord hasn't taken the proper steps to ensure that their tenants and their property are safe.An effective way to avoid getting an EICR is to make sure all your appliances have been PAT tested. It is a straightforward pass-or-fail test that confirms that all electrical devices are working properly and are safe to use.Alternately, you can engage an electrician who is certified to conduct the testing. But, it is essential to select an experienced electrician as it will make a major difference in the results of the test.