Electrical Installation Condition Report - What Are You Obligated to Do?

Posted by Trade Facilities Services on July 20th, 2017

An electrical installation condition report is a requirement for any building or home as a safety precaution. This is because as all electrical installations, no matter how well built, inevitably deteriorate over time. Experts recommended that a thorough inspection of built in electrical systems be done every three to five years. These electrical safety checks —which are also called ‘electrical installation condition reports’ or ‘periodic inspections —ensure that your electrical systems at home or in public buildings and structures are kept up to code and running in top condition.

An electrical installation condition document shows clearly ifany electrical circuits or equipment in a home or building are overloaded. It also details potential electric shock risks and fire hazard points, identifiesany defective or faulty electrical work, and highlightsany lack of proper grounding within your electrical system. These checks must be carried out by certified electricians or safety inspectors to make sure that your installation is up to stringent UK standards and wiring regulations.

By law, you must have your place inspected and certified regularly. For landlords,additional general guidelines mandate that the electrical fixtures (like power outlets and lighting fixtures)aresecure by the time a tenant moves into the unit and are maintained for the whole duration of the tenancy.Landlords must also ensure that all appliances supplied, such as food cookers and dryers and washers, are in good condition and have their CE stickers for compliance. As per usual, a check-up andmust bedone oncein five years for HMO properties, or for properties that are located in certain locations such as Scotland.All other mandatory regulations regarding electrical safety and compliance also still apply.

In the event any electrical installations are not up to the set standards and appliances provided by the landlord are found to be faulty and unsafe, a penalty of £5,000 will be imposed on the landlord. Courts will also impose six months imprisonment and potential criminal charges for the offender in the event of injury or death. Insurance for your property will also be automatically be invalidated and revoked.

Whether you run a domestic or a commercial rental property, it’s important to work with a company that provides electrical safety certificates and testing services in London and Essex. This way, you have the right paperwork should it be needed.

About the Author

I am James Livingstone the owner of Trade Facilities Services, we provide electrical certificates and electrical testing in London, Essex and Kent at reasonable and fair prices. The company is fully insured and all electricians are qualified and are members of either NAPIT or the NICEIC. We believe in publishing the correct information for our consumers to ensure they get value for money.