How often do Landlords need an EICR?

As a landlord, you will need to ensure a copy of the report is provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to new tenants before they move in.

Even if five years hasn’t passed, it's worth arranging another inspection if the property has had significant electrical work carried out, the previous report stated an earlier inspection or the tenant reports recurring electrical problems.

What is a Landlord's EICR?

A Landlord's EICR is a detailed inspection of the fixed electrical installation within your property in Whitefield. During the inspection, the wiring, fuse box, sockets, switches, lighting circuits and other electrical components are tested to identify any deterioration, damage or potential safety risk.

Once the inspection is complete, you’ll receive a report saying whether the installation is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. If any dangerous defects are identified they’ll need to be repaired before the installation can be considered safe.

Why regular EICRs matter

Electrical installations deteriorate over time. Cables, switches and accessories can wear out through everyday use and faults often develop gradually without being immediately obvious.

A landlord's EICR helps identify these issues before they become serious safety hazards. It also provides reassurance that your property’s electrical system continues to meet current UK standards.

Rather than waiting for something to fail and inconvenience your day when you need it the least, regular inspections allow problems to be found and corrected early, helping protect both your tenants and your investment.

I recently carried out a Landlords EICR at a rental property on Bollin Walk in Whitefield. The inspection itself was routine until I came across a faulty dimmer switch in the living room. From the outside the switch looked perfectly normal, however when I touched it, it was unusually hot. After removing the faceplate, it quickly became clear that the switch had completely overheated internally. The plastic components had melted, there were visible burn marks on the face plate, and the internal mechanism had significant heat damage.

When discussing my findings with the tenants, they told me that they had mentioned the hot switch to the landlord several months earlier and unfortunately it had not been investigated. Because the damaged switch presented a safety risk, I had no option but to issue an unsatisfactory report until I could return and replace the faulty switch. 

That is why regular inspections are important. What looked like a perfectly ordinary light switch from the outside was hiding a fault that could have very easily become much more serious.

What happens if an EICR is unsatisfactory?

An unsatisfactory result doesn’t mean the entire electrical installation needs replacing; in many cases it simply means certain issues need to be fixed. Common issues include damaged switches/sockets, inadequate protection and worn components that no longer meet current safety requirements.

Once the necessary work has been completed, the electrician will give you paperwork to show the work has been done and your report will change to satisfactory.

Need a landlords EICR in Whitefield?

If your inspection is due or you’re unsure when your last report was completed, I'd be happy to help. We at Outwood Electrical carry out professional Landlords EICR inspections throughout Whitefield, providing clear reports, honest advice and quick remedial work. Get in touch today for a no obligation quotation.