Electrical Testing and Inspection
If you are a landlord or otherwise responsible for the maintenance of a rented property or accommodation all portable appliances and fixed equipment provided to tenants must be inspected and, if there are any fixtures not specifically included in this remit, they must be tested every 5 years.
Periodic Inspection & Testing
All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use and therefore should be inspected and tested at regular intervals to ensure they are in satisfactory condition for continued use; once a periodic inspection has been completed, an Electrical Condition Report (EICR) will be issued.
A periodic inspection will:
- Reveal overloaded electrical circuits or equipment
- Find potential risks of electric shock and fire hazard
- Identify defective electrical work
- Highlight lack of earthing or bonding
How Often is an Inspection Needed?
Electrics should be inspected every:
- 10 years for an owner-occupied house
- 5 years for a rented house
- 3 years for a caravan
- 1 year for a swimming pool
They should also be inspected when:
- A property is being prepared for letting
- Before selling a property or buying a previously occupied property
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that 25% of all reported electrical accidents involved portable appliances so it is equally important that Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is carried out alongside comprehensive testing of your home’s electrical circuits.
Our fully-accredited NICEIC electricians have undertaken specific training in these areas and have been carrying out testing and maintenance in properties for many years keeping your home safe and efficient. Our team will work to identify and isolate any defective electrical work making homeowners immediately aware of any safety concerns they have and the remedial works required to rectify.
