An electrical certificate safety is a certificate issued to prove that a building’s electrical system is safe for use. If a home is found to be electrically safe, the certification will then be given, and it will last for five years from when the first test.
The document is signed by a certified electrician following the completion of an extensive test and inspection of the electrical system in a home, electrical certificate.
You might have been told that these are called electrical security checks or a landlord’s safety certificates. However, the proper name for the document is ‘Electrical Installation Conditions Report’ (EICR).
Why do I require an Electrical Safety Certificate?
Electricity, although vital to our daily lives but it can also be extremely dangerous if the infrastructure that supplies it isn’t maintained.
More than 10 percent of all UK house fires result from electrical malfunctions. Another alarming statistic is that 30 people die due to electrical shocks to the household every year. So, making sure the electrical safety of a home should be the top priority for every homeowner.
An EICR will allow you to make sure that any issues that could affect your home are identified and fixed to minimize the risk.
If you are selling your home, you’ll need to submit a copy of the certificate of electrical safety in the procedure of selling your house to a prospective buyer.
What is the Electrical Safety Check involve?
A safety inspection of electrical installations checks all electrical installations fixed within a house. In simple terms, it refers to all electrical installations that are permanently connected to the home.
This includes:
Light fittings and switches
Connectors for plugs (including shaving sockets)
The entire wiring internal and external
The primary consumer unit (fuse box) and any Residual Continuity Devices (RCDs) that are connected
Permanently connected electrical devices (solar panels shower pumps, heaters for storage, etc.)
The electrician will look at the condition, age, and safety of your electrical system when determining what is and is not secure. Although older installations don’t require conformity to the most recent edition of the wiring rules but they should be considered safe.
Electrics that are not fixed are not covered under an electrical safety test. To make sure that they are safe, you’ll require the services of an electrician who can conduct tests on portable appliances on them. This is commonly referred to as the PAT test. However, this test isn’t required in the process of selling homes.
What will what does an Electrical Safety Check show?
A safety check for electrical equipment checks for potential issues that could be present in a house. When performing the safety inspection the electrician will inspect the permanent electrical wiring for potential safety risks and determine if there is anything that could pose a danger.
If an electrician detects an issue with the property’s electrical system, they’ll take note of it along with an identification code. The codes range from one up to three, and show the degree of danger caused by the issue.
A C1 (Code One (C1) error means there’s a risk which could result in injury. A electrical inspector has to create an C1 danger safe prior to leaving the premises. It is usually done by disconnection of the affected part of the electrical system, rendering it dead until it can be fixed. If there are any faults, it will result in your home being be marked as ‘Unsatisfactory. This means that until the time that these issues are rectified, your home is considered to be unsafe from a safety standpoint.
The Code Two (C2) fault signifies that something is a risk. It may be identified with FI which means that the issue requires further investigation. If you’re a landlord, this kind of code requires the correction in the space of 28 days.
The term Code Three (C3) means that an improvement is suggested but not mandatory. The majority of the time the code is applied to parts of the electrical system that, though not posing a significant risk but could be made more secure. It is usually utilized when an element of the installation doesn’t conform to the most recent version of Wiring Regulations, electrical certificate.
If any of these problems are discovered in the electrical safety check, the electrician will highlight the faults on the initial report.
The electrician will send you an estimate of the costs for repairs so to carry the repair work out.
Do I require a new Electrical Safety Test after remedial work?
In the event that an electric safety check is judged “unsatisfactory” at first then you do not have to take a complete test again.
Who is able to make the Electrical Safety Certificate?
A safety certificate for electrical appliances is only issued by an “qualified and competent” registered electrician.
To be considered competent and skilled an electrician who inspects should have at least two years of prior experience in the field. The experience must be directly derived from conducting EICR tests.
Find a skilled electrician through the Electrical Competent Person Scheme. This is a registry of electricians who are regularly rated qualified.
Electricians are certified by various organizations, such as NICEIC as well as NAPIT. If you’d like more information on a specific electrician, reading reviews on the internet is an ideal option.
What is the cost of the cost of an Electrical Safety Test cost?
They will differ. Prices typically range between PS120 to PS200 and will vary based on the amount of electrical circuits within your home.
The larger properties are more expensive, since there’s more electrical equipment to be inspected. Additionally, older properties may be more costly due to the inherent difficulty of handling old electrical equipment.
Why should I get the electrical Safety Check if I am selling my house?
When you sell a home when selling a property, it is best to verify that the property is equipped with an electrical safety certificate that is valid. While it isn’t legally required for selling property, having the certificate can give prospective buyers confidence that the home you’re selling is safe electrically. This means buyers will not have to be concerned about the electrical state of your home. This means you will not need to worry about it when you have a home inspection done because you can show that your electrical system is secure.
What is the reason I should have the EICR, if I’m a tenant?
In addition to being an intelligent way to safeguard your tenants’ possessions and lives In reality, landlords are required to have an EICR in place each five-year period.
The law was in force for all new leases from May 2020 and, since April 2021, it has been applied for all rentals within England as well as Wales. Landlords who own properties located in Scotland are required to obtain an EICR since the year 2016.
If you do not give a valid certificate You could be penalized at up to the amount of PS30, 000. On top of this, tenants often leave reviews of landlords online, at sites such as ratemylandlord.org.uk. If you notice that you’re getting the reputation of not being concerned about the security of your tenant it could severely impact your chances of renting your home in the future.
Landlords of homes with Multiple Occupation (HIMO’s) must have a valid electrical certification as a mandatory requirement for any HMO license granted by an authority local to them. This is essential in the event of offering an HIMO property to a new buyer who requires this.
Summary:
Safety checks for electrical appliances are conducted to determine whether a house is safe to use electrically. This involves an electrician inspecting a home’s electrical system and recording any potential hazards.
These dangers are assigned codes to show how serious a risk they pose. Code one hazards must be secured quickly, while codes two’s need to be fixed in the space of 28 days.
Landlords are required by law to conduct an EICR performed every five years and to correct any hazardous flaws they discover. If they do not comply with this, they could be liable for an amount of PS30, 000 in fines.
Owner-occupiers are not bound by any obligation. However the need for an electrical safety check conducted frequently will ensure your home and family’s security.
Additionally, having an electrical safety certificate that is valid is a great way to present to potential buyers. This can reassure buyers that the electrical system inside the house is safe and will allow you to avoid entering into any discussions about unnecessary electrical work.