Landlords are inadvertently endangering tenants due to opting for budget electricians for EICR reports, warns Landlord Licensing & Defence. Many landlords don’t understand the reasons behind varying charges for Electrical Installation Condition Reports.
The responsibility for conducting an electrical inspection every five years was placed on landlords by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. It mandates hiring a ‘qualified and competent person,’ a choice often made solely based on cost.
According to the company, a significant number of landlords lack the knowledge to assess the qualifications and competence of electricians, often opting for the least expensive option.
The issue is exacerbated by short training courses of one week or less, which promise to train individuals to meet minimum electrical testing requirements. Consequently, landlords are potentially endangering tenants by prioritizing cost over expertise when selecting electricians.
This problem has become so prevalent that certain councils with selective licensing regulations demand EICR assessments exclusively from NIC/EIC or NAPIT-registered electricians.
Phil Turtle, a fire compliance specialist at Landlord Licensing & Defence, comments: “We view this as a positive step, as some electricians conduct up to 10 inspections daily, insufficient time for a comprehensive examination. To illustrate, a thorough assessment of a flat takes around three hours, while a small house requires four hours. Consequently, a meticulous inspection could cost landlords up to £500. However, numerous companies offer budget inspections for as little as £80.”
According to the company, a significant number of landlords lack the knowledge to assess the qualifications and competence of electricians, often opting for the least expensive option.
The issue is exacerbated by short training courses of one week or less, which promise to train individuals to meet minimum electrical testing requirements. Consequently, landlords are potentially endangering tenants by prioritizing cost over expertise when selecting electricians.
This problem has become so prevalent that certain councils with selective licensing regulations demand EICR assessments exclusively from NIC/EIC or NAPIT-registered electricians.
Phil Turtle, a fire compliance specialist at Landlord Licensing & Defence, comments: “We view this as a positive step, as some electricians conduct up to 10 inspections daily, insufficient time for a comprehensive examination. To illustrate, a thorough assessment of a flat takes around three hours, while a small house requires four hours. Consequently, a meticulous inspection could cost landlords up to £500. However, numerous companies offer budget inspections for as little as £80.”
He emphasises that while the initial affordability might appear attractive, it’s crucial to recognise that opting for budget inspections falls short of the meticulousness needed for tenant safety.
He refers to a recent report from the Institute of Engineering and Technology, released last year, revealing that inadequate EICR safety checks on buildings in England are heightening the fire risk.
“As a responsible landlord, your obligation is to ensure your tenants’ safety and security in their residences. Hence, we strongly recommend engaging a reputable company for inspections, solely with properly qualified NIC/EIC or NAPIT-registered electricians. Don’t compromise tenants’ safety by cutting corners,” he concludes.
The company offers landlords a complimentary handbook outlining fire causes and prevention strategies.
For landlords seeking certified testers, the Registered Competent Person website offers a resource to locate competent testers. Simply select ‘to undertake an electrical safety report’ on the search page.
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