Landlord EICR Leigh-on-Sea SS9

Leigh-on-Sea Electrical Services provides EICR work for landlords in Leigh-on-Sea, Hadleigh, Eastwood, Westcliff-on-Sea and Rayleigh. This page explains what the job involves and when to send an enquiry.

An EICR is an inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation. That means the consumer unit (fuse board), the circuit wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, and the earthing and bonding. It does not normally cover portable appliances, which is a separate matter.

The electrician looks at the visible condition of the installation, then carries out electrical testing with calibrated instruments to check that circuits are behaving as they should. Some circuits have to be switched off while they are tested, so the power will be off for periods during the visit. Tell your tenants in advance, and arrange access to every room, the consumer unit and any outbuildings or garages on the supply.

The result is a condition report. It lists what was inspected, what was found, and the overall outcome. It is a record of the installation condition on the day, not a repair.

Findings are given observation codes. C1 means danger is present. C2 means potentially dangerous. C3 means improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is needed. A report is generally marked unsatisfactory where there is a C1, a C2 or an FI.

An unsatisfactory result is not unusual on older properties, and it does not mean the whole system needs replacing. It means specific items need attention. That attention is remedial work, and it should be dealt with promptly because the report is about electrical safety for the people living there.

Keep the report safely. Tenants, letting agents and the local authority may ask to see it, and the next electrician will find it useful as a starting point.

The most common trigger is a new tenancy where there is no recent report for the property. Another is when the existing report is approaching the date for the next inspection, which the report itself should state. It is sensible to book ahead of that date rather than at the last minute.

Also consider one when you take on a property that already has tenants, after major alterations or an extension, or when tenants report warning signs. These include tripping circuits, flickering lights, warm or discoloured sockets, buzzing sounds or a burning smell. If you think there is an immediate danger, switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so and do not use the affected circuit until an electrician has looked at it.

The rules for private landlords on electrical safety can change, and they differ between parts of the UK. Check GOV.UK for the current position before you rely on any summary, including this one. If your rental is in Leigh-on-Sea, Hadleigh, Eastwood, Westcliff-on-Sea or Rayleigh, you can send an enquiry using the form on this page.

The cost of a landlord EICR depends mainly on the size of the property and the number of circuits to be tested. The number of consumer units, how easy it is to get at the wiring, the age and condition of the installation, and whether the property is occupied can all make a difference. A landlord with several properties may also want to discuss them together.

The cost of the EICR covers the inspection, the testing and the report. It does not cover any remedial work that the report recommends. If something needs fixing, such as a damaged accessory, missing bonding or an outdated consumer unit, that is a separate piece of work. Its cost depends on what is found and what is needed to put it right.

Keeping the two apart helps you. You get a clear picture of the installation first, then you can decide how to deal with anything on the list. Ask for any follow-up work to be described and priced separately from the report.