1. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
An EICR is an inspection on the condition of electrical installation within the property.  The inspection will identify any defects from the latest wiring regulations.  This means your property must meet the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.  The checks will reveal if any of your circuits are overloaded, find any potential electric shock risks or fire hazards, identify any defective DIY electrical work and highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.  
Who needs one?
Landlords
As of 1 April 2021 it became mandatory for all landlords to have an EICR on all of their rented properties (including pre existing tenancies), to be completed at least every 5 years.  
Homeowners
The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations recommend an EICR should be completed at least every 10 years.  If you are moving to a new home this is also recommended for insurance purposes or if you suspect the existing electrics to be old or to have poor quality editions. 
Businesses 
Although businesses are not legally obliged to have an EICR it is an employer's responsibility to uphold the safety and welfare of their employees.  The 18th Edition Wiring Regulations state businesses be tested every 5 years.

2. Electrical Installation Certificate 
This is needed if you have had any new circuits installed to show the installation is up to the latest wiring regulations and standards.  Any works in a special location such as kitchen or bathroom or a replacement consumer unit a notifying to the local council certificate (Part P certificate) will be issued along with the electrical installation certificate.  


3. Minor Works Certificate 
Similar to the electrical installation certificate but this certificate is issued when a new circuits hasn't been added where new works have been connected to an existing circuit. If the works are in the kitchen or bathroom the council notification certificate (Part P certificate) will be issued also.  

4. PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) 
This is to check that the appliances in the property are not dangerous.  It does not check the function of the appliance only that it is safe to use.  
Landlords
A landlord is only responsible for the appliances they have provided in the rental accommodation.  We strongly advise that a PAT test is conducted before the start of any new let and on an annual basis.  
Businesses
A PAT test is an essential part of any businesses health and safety policy.  This should be carried out annually.  

5. Remedial works
Common works needed to bring installations up to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations include;
 replacing the consumer unit - every circuit needs to be RCD protected and older style consumer units or fuse boxes sometimes cannot accommodate a RCD these therefore need replacing. Newer consumer units can be adapted so all circuits have RCD protection.  All new consumer units need to be of metal construction for fire safety purposes.   
broken electrical accessories - cracked or broken sockets, light switches and/or lights can potentially cause electric shocks and should be replaced.  
upgrading of earthing and bonding - water and gas pipes that are made of metal need to be earth bonded.  Some older properties do not have this in place.  
bathroom lights and extractor fans - both need to be of adequate IP rating (waterproof) and in correct zone of the bathroom.
circuit protective devices - replace circuit breakers so they are of adequate size to protect the circuit.

6. Fault finding 
We are experts in finding electrical faults and we have all the knowledge and sophisticated equipment to find faults quickly and efficiently for the least disruption to tenants/ homeowners.  

7. Fire safety
Landlords are obliged to make sure their properties have adequate fire detection;

- provide a smoke alarm on each storey 
- carbon monoxide in each room with a solid fuel burning appliance

We recommend a heat alarm in the kitchen, especially if the kitchen door is regularly closed because a fire can build up before the smoke reaches the smoke detectors.  Please note, heat alarms do not go off no matter how much cooking goes on in the kitchen.  We also recommend that all smoke and heat alarms  are interlinked, especially if there are more than two storeys to the property, as sometimes a smoke alarm downstairs cannot be heard from the upstairs bedrooms. 

It is important to have smoke alarms and to check they are working properly  in ALL PROPERTIES, regardless of whether they are rented or privately owned both for safety and insurance purposes.