Landlords in Bradford and across the UK have a legal responsibility to ensure the electrics in their property are safe.
A landlord electrical safety certificate, also known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), is an electrical safety inspection which helps you to fulfil your legal obligations to your tenant. If you are the landlord of a property in the Bradford area, Quality Electrician are the local, reliable electrician you can trust to keep your tenants and property safe. We provide a full range of electrical services to landlords, including electrical safety certifications (EICR).
What is a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate?
Since April 2021, electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) have been legally required for all tenanted properties. The electrical safety certificate is issued after a qualified electrician has thoroughly examined the electrical installation in a property. The EICR inspection is intended to highlight any electrical issues that could pose a risk to your tenants. The electrician performing the EICR will test the wiring, sockets, fuse box and every aspect of your Bradford property’s electrical installation to ensure it is safe.
A landlord’s electrical safety responsibilities
As a responsible landlord you understand the safety of your tenants is paramount. Legally there are a number of electrical safety regulations that a landlord must be in compliance with. These regulations are intended to ensure electrical issues are highlighted before they become dangerous. All landlords of privately rented accommodation must:
- Ensure the standards set out in the 18th edition of the wiring regulations BS7671 are adhered to.
- Employ a qualified and competent person to inspect and test the electrical installation of the property at least every 5 years.
- Ensure they receive a report or certificate from the electrician who performed the inspection. This must detail the results and the date for the next inspection.
- Give a copy of the EICR to the tenant within 28 days and to any new tenant prior to occupation.
- Supply your local authority with a copy of the electrical safety report within 7 days if requested.
- Retain a copy of the EICR to present at the next electrical safety inspection.
- If the EICR states any work is required, this work must be completed within 28 days unless otherwise specified.
- Provide written confirmation of the completion of this work within 28 days to both the local authority and their tenant.
Failure to obtain an electrical safety certificate or comply with these regulations can result in a fine of up to £30,000. It is in your best interest as a landlord to ensure you have an electrical installation condition report performed as soon as it is needed.
What does an electrical safety inspection cover?
The electrical inspection and testing performed during an EICR is thorough and the resultant report is detailed. Your electrician will look at several areas to ensure there are no risks of fire or electrical shock present. They will:
- Ensure there is no risk to the personal safety of your tenants.
- Confirm that appropriate earthing and bonding are in place.
- Inspect all sockets, switches and hardwired appliances.
- Review any electrical work that has been previously completed in the property.
- Check all wiring and the fuse board/consumer unit in your property.
Following their inspection, they will prepare your report which will detail any improvements and repairs that are necessary. They will discuss their findings with you and provide you with estimates for any work that is required.
If you are a landlord in Bradford and would like to arrange to have a landlords electrical safety check completed by a fully qualified, highly experienced electrician, call Quality Electrician today. Our professional, reliable electricians will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
