EICR Edinburgh (Electrical Installation Condition Report)


Electrical Installation Inspections for Edinburgh Landlords.


Book an Edinburgh EICR here, call us on 0131 315 0000 or read on to find out:

  • The obligations Landlords have regarding electrical safety checks in a rented property
  • What an EICR is
  • How much an Edinburgh EICR costs

What are a landlord’s Electrical safety check obligations?

Landlords are required to ensure the electrical installation (cabling, sockets, switches, fuse board etc.) in any let property is safe and fit for purpose. To do this a Certified (SELECT or NICEIC Registered) electrician must carry out an inspection of the electrical installation. Anything that fails the electrical inspection should repaired or replaced immediately. The inspecting electrician will usually provide a quote to make good issues they identify.

With age and use many electrical installations deteriorate. This is way they should be inspected and tested at regular intervals. Doing so ensures the safety of tenants / users. These Electrical Safety checks are commonly referred to as Electrical Installation Condition Reports or EICRs. They were previously called “Periodic Inspection Reports” (PIRs).

What does an Electrical safety check involve?

The inspection checks on:

  • Presence and adequacy of earth bonding.
  • Suitability of the fuse board; does it comply with current standards? For example, an old fuse box with wooden back board or cast-iron switches is now outdated.
  • Condition, suitability and compliance with current safety standards of switches, sockets and light 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 on skirting boards.
  • 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 electricity to portable electrical equipment for use outdoors. Ensuring that they are protected by a suitable residual current device (RCD).
  • Presence of adequate identification and notices where required.
  • Extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration to the electrical installation.
  • Wiring of any fixed electrical equipment (for example oven’s & boilers) to check that they are safe.
  • Changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions.

An Electrical Installation Inspection will:

  • Reveal if any of electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded.
  • Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
  • Identify electrical work that does not meet current regulations.
  • Highlight any lack of earth bonding.

The Report

Following an inspection the Electrician will issue a report. This report will specify what has been tested and categorise each element as “safe”, “at risk” or “unsafe”. It will also indicate if the installation is overall in a satisfactory or unsatisfactory condition.

If anything is categorised as unsafe or potentially unsafe the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be ‘unsatisfactory’. This means that remedial action will be required to remove the risks to those in the premises.

Landlord’s are required to make copy of the report available to tenants or prospective tenants.

How often is an Electrical Installation Condition Report required?

For a rented property an Electrical safety check should be carried out and a report issued every five years OR as recommended by the examining Electrician (check previous EICRs for dates recommended).

NOTE: It is recommended that owner-occupied homes have an inspection carried out every 10 years.

How much does an EICR in Edinburgh cost?

HomeForce accredited Electrician’s charge from £120 + VAT for a one or two bedroom property. This excludes putting right any faults or anything that is not compliant with current electrical regulations, these would be quoted for separately.

Average market rates for an EICR in Edinburgh (according to HomeForce’s Market Rate Monitor) are around £120 – £170 + VAT. Again, this excludes any additional work identified as required or recommended.

Arrange an Edinburgh EICR now: