Landlords

Please use my  Free SMS Text Message for landlords if you need work to be done or quoted.

Many landlords have given us the keys to their complete portfolio of properties and entrusted us to arrange all of their property maintenance. We offer a one stop shop in Landlord Certification, we can do the Gas, Electrical Inspection, PAT testing and Energy Performance all in a single visit which keeps tenants happy and saves time in getting the certificates to you.

All of our work is in line with the best recommendations of the Electricity Safety Council.

We test and certifiy to the Electrical Installation Condition Report EICR, which replaced the Periodic Inspection Report PIR and carry out the test  laid out in Guidence Note 3 for electrical installations. This means you will recieve a nine page report on the state of your electrics. Some companies offer an inspection that last less than an hour, these are not worth the paper they are written on and won’t stand up in court.

Only electricians with the advanced City and Guilds Test & Inspections 2391-10 should be undertaking these reports according to the Law. Make sure that if you order one the electrician has this exam otherwise it is a worthless piece of paper that you will receive.

Periodic Inspection Explained by the Electricity Safety Council

The following document is independent advice from the above organisation which you can see on-line here.

All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at appropriate intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued service. Such safety checks are commonly referred to as ‘periodic inspection and testing’.

A periodic inspection will:

  • Reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded.
  • Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
  • Identify any defective electrical work.
  • Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.

Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe. A schedule of circuits is also provided, which is invaluable for a property.

How often is a periodic inspection required? Your electrics should be inspected and tested every:

  • 10 years for an owner-occupied home.
  • 5 years for a rented home.
  • 3 years for a caravan
  • 1 year for a swimming pool.

Other times when a periodic inspection should be carried out are:

  • When a property is being prepared for letting.
  • Before selling a property or buying a previously-occupied property.

Who should carry out the periodic inspection and what happens? 
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians. They will check the condition of the electrics against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations).

The inspection takes into account all the relevant circumstances and checks on:

  • The adequacy of earthing and bonding.
  • The suitability of the switchgear and controlgear. For example, an old fusebox with a wooden back, cast-iron switches, or a mixture of both will need replacing.
  • The serviceability of switches, sockets and lighting fittings. Items that  may need replacing include: older round-pin sockets, round light switches, cables with fabric coating hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards.
  • The type of wiring system and its condition. For example, cables coated in black rubber were phased out in the 1960s. Likewise cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may well need replacing (modern cables use longer-lasting pvc insulation).
  • Sockets that may be used to supply portable electrical equipment for use outdoors, making sure they are protected by a suitable residual current device (RCD).
  • The presence of adequate identification and notices.
  • The extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration.
  • Any changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions.

The competent person will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger.

If any dangerous or potentially dangerous condition or conditions are found, the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be ‘unsatisfactory’, meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to those in the premises.

For more information, download our Guide to condition reports for domestic electrical installations

If you would like to arrange for a Periodic Inspection to be carried out, the following leaflets may be helpful:

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