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Here at Tyne Electrical, our customers often hear the term ‘EICR’ and have only one assumption - that this is a service for Landlords only. As a result of this, homeowners in Seaton often don’t know what we do during an EICR, and why you would need one.
What actually is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a way of checking the safety and the condition of the electrics in your home or property. To do so we would look at the wiring, circuits, and different electrical components to ensure they’re safe for use.
During an EICR we would run checks for serious hazards, such as:
- Risk of Electric Shock
- Potential Fire Hazards
- Faulty, aged or damaged earthing/bonding
- Overloaded Circuits
The testing does involve turning off the power, and sometimes we would need to unscrew sockets from the wall whilst we carry out the tests.
What are the main areas of your home we would check during an EICR?
During an EICR, we would need to access the electrical components of your Seaton home or property that are fixed in place and generally aren’t easy to move around. This is to ensure that they’re compliant with BS 7671 and to check they’re not deteriorating and no longer safe to use.
Here are a few of the main areas we would look at during an EICR:
Your home's consumer unit - We will assess your consumer unit to check this still operates as it should, the general condition is still in line with safety standards and to ensure the circuit breakers and RCD protection is working properly.
Light Switches, Sockets & Fittings - due to these items being fixed objects, we have to check for any potential damage and to make sure that they have been installed properly
Hard-wired Appliances - We would assess items in your home or Seaton property like dishwashers, ovens, electric showers, etc.
Are EICR’s a legal requirement for Landlords in Seaton?
Yes, it is a legal requirement that Landlords in Seaton and the rest of the UK have an EICR in their rental property once every 5 years. This has to be completed by a qualified electrician and a copy of the results of the findings is to be handed to the tenant too. If a landlord fails to comply with the EICR regulations you could face a fine of up to £30,000.
Should Seaton homeowners consider an EICR too?
There are many scenarios whereby we would recommend an EICR for homeowners in Seaton. Let’s break down when this could be beneficial and why:
An EICR is highly recommended for people buying a property as it allows you to be safe in the knowledge of the condition and safety of your new home, before any hazards present themselves to you. It can be expensive having to repair electrics, prevention is always better, and less expensive, than a cure.
If your Seaton home is anywhere between 25-30 years old and is yet to have had a full re-wire done, an EICR is certainly recommended. Modern day electrics require much more than the older wiring can provide, it’s best to check if your home is handling its current demand.
If you’ve noticed that the lights have been flickering or circuits tripping, this can be a sign of potential underlying issues. An EICR would highlight any issues that are causing problems with your electrics.
If you’ve recently undergone an extension or kind of renovations to your Seaton home, it’s best to check that your home is still electrically compliant.
Last but certainly not least, electrical faults are actually one of the leading causes of home fires across the UK. By completing an EICR, you would be protecting your home and your family.
Book an EICR in Seaton
Whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord, if you’d like to enquire about booking an EICR - get in touch with our local and trusted team here at Tyne Electrical! Protect your home today.