In order for a Landlord to rent out a property in England, there are certain prerequisites that need to be met.  Alongside legal obligations, ensuring the safety and security of Tenants is one of a Landlord’s main responsibilities.  This includes checking the electrical installation within the property every 5 years.  As such, two documents play a crucial role in this aspect – The Electrical Installation Condition Report (“EICR”) and the Electrical Installation Certificate (“EIC”).

The EICR and EIC may seem similar, but they serve different purposes.  The EICR is an assessment of the overall condition of the whole electrical installation.  It aims to identity any potential hazards or defects.  The EICR is conducted by a qualified electrician who examines the wiring, fittings and distribution boards within the property.  Any observations will be noted and coded dependent on the severity see below: –

C1- Danger Present (Danger present, risk of injury.  Immediate remedial action required).
C2- Potentially dangerous (Urgent remedial required).
C3- Improvement recommended.
F1- Further investigation required.
 
The electrician will deem the condition as unsatisfactory or satisfactory.  To meet the rental legislation, you must have a valid EICR, if the observations show a C1 or C2 an EIC may be needed to accompany the unsatisfactory EICR to show that the electrical system is functional and meets safety standards.  If your property has undergone a full rewire or has received a new installation the EIC will be accepted on its own, however the electrical system must be checked again every 5 years and or when there is a change of Tenant.
 
On the other hand, the EIC serves as a confirmation that an electrical installation has been carried out in compliance with the relevant regulations.  It is typically issued when a new installation has been carried out, such as within new build properties or when significant modifications have been made to an existing installation.  The EIC includes details of the electrician responsible for conducting the work, the installation location and dates on which it was carried out.

Both reports are crucial in ensuring electrical safety in properties.  Whilst an EICR assesses the overall condition of existing electrical installations, an EIC certifies the correct installation or alteration of new electrical systems.  Often Landlords feel that one or the other is sufficient for letting a property, but this is not the case.

If you are unsure on your rental obligations our dedicated lettings team is on hand to guide you through the process and will keep you compliant.