When you are looking to buy a property, it is a good idea to conduct an electrical safety check. It’s very similar to getting a property survey to investigate the structure of a property. As with the condition of the property itself, electrical systems can deteriorate over time, and it’s important to ensure that the electrical system in a property is safe and in good working order before you purchase it.
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is an electrical safety check of a property’s electrics, including its fuses, wiring, sockets, and switches. It involves a thorough inspection of the electrics in a property. During the check, an electrician will make sure all the electrics are safe and working properly.
Do I Need An EICR When I Buy A New Build?
If you’re buying a new build, this should come with an electrical installation certificate (EIC). If you have an EIC, you won’t need an EICR. Legally, you don’t need to do an electrical safety check when buying a home if you plan on living in it yourself. If you’re buying to let, you’ll need to have an EICR done before accepting any tenants.
Why Should I Complete an EICR When Buying a House?
Having an EICR can ensure the safety of the electrics. This is especially important in older homes, where wiring may be outdated or not up to current safety standards. It will also provide you with peace of mind that you won’t be faced with unexpected electrical issues when you move in. You are also better informed so that if there any issues identified, you can incorporate the cost of repairs into your offer. In addition, some mortgage lenders and insurance companies require an EICR.
Are the Electrics Usually Checked as Part of a House Survey?
An electrical safety check isn’t typically included in your standard homebuyer or building survey, but the surveyor will give you an overall view of the electrics. Services are generally hidden within the construction of the property. This means that we can only inspect the visible parts of the available services, and we do not carry out specialist tests. The visual inspection cannot assess the services to make sure they work efficiently and safely and meet modern standa
rds
An example of the typical content included in the survey report would be :
The property appeared to be connected to mains electricity. The meter and consumer unit are in the under-stairs cupboard. The consumer unit is of a dated type and needs to be replaced in safer modern metal encased unit. Wiring appears fairly closely bunched together and this can cause overheating. Wiring in the roof space may need to be repositioned above the boarding and insulation material. In places, electrical wiring is present beneath the loft insulation This can cause overheating and in extreme cases lead to fires. Covered cables may need to be re-positioned on top of the insulation and an electrician should provide further advice.
Who Should I Contact to Complete an EICR?
An EICR must be undertaken by a qualified electrician. This typically means a registered electrician with the necessary qualifications, experience, and skills to inspect and test electrical installations. If you do not have a local electrician in mind, we have electricians that we regularly recommend to our customers. Please get in touch with us for more information.
