Do I need a separate EICR?

Do I need a separate EICR?

17:33 PM, 9th February 2021, About 3 years ago 32

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Hi all, I had a very comprehensive Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate for the work I had completed in August 2019 for me. I had 2 new fuse boards, socket switch plates changed and light fittings changed.

Does this mean that I do not require the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?

In other words, are these the same thing, or will I need a recognised electrical inspector to return to carry out a completely separate Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?

Your input will be most gratefully appreciated.

Propman84


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Comments

steve p

18:57 PM, 9th February 2021, About 3 years ago

An EICR is not the same as an EIC...

The legislation basically says every circuit needs to be tested. If you only had 2 consumer units then no the EIC will cover you for 5yrs from the date on the EIC... If you had another consumer unit say in the garage or shed etc then that one would need an EICR, you can have an EICR for just that one consumer unit.

If in doubt contact an electrician.

Seething Landlord

1:07 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Regarding inspections and reports, the Regulations require a landlord to ensure every electrical installation in the residential premises is inspected and tested at regular intervals by a qualified person and obtain a report from the person conducting that inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test.
"Electrical installation" means fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer’s side of the electricity supply meter; (Building Regs 2010 S2 (1)).
I have no idea whether your installation certificate would meet these requirements.

JB

9:24 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

According to my electrician an EIC trumps and EICR

Seething Landlord

9:34 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 10/02/2021 - 09:24
Does that mean that an EIC meets all the requirements of the Regulations or is it just a throwaway remark?

JB

10:10 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 10/02/2021 - 09:34
He says it does meet all the requirements

JB

10:12 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 10/02/2021 - 09:34
I've tried clarifying this with the NRLA but they never commit themselves so rely on my electrician's opinion.

Seething Landlord

10:29 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 10/02/2021 - 10:10
The Guide for Landlords has the following in the Further Questions section:

"What about new build properties or new installations?
If a property is newly built or has been completely rewired, it should have an Electrical Installation Certificate known as an EIC.
Landlords can provide a copy of the EIC to tenants and, if requested, the local housing authority. The landlord will then not be required to carry out further checks or provide a report for 5 years after the EIC has been issued, as long as they have complied with their duty or duties under the Regulations."

Note that it refers to new builds or complete rewires, also the qualification at the end. It says nothing about anything short of a complete rewire.

JB

10:38 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 10/02/2021 - 10:29
My electrician is satisfied that he's tested everything that needs testing.

Gunga Din

10:51 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

"According to my electrician an EIC trumps and EICR"

As does mine but in the Notes for Recipient on the EIC form (from NICEIC) it states the EIC is intended for a new installation or new work/alteration or addition to existing. "It should not have been used for the inspection of an existing electrical installation. An EICR should be issued for such an inspection".

An example of opinion/interpretation by an electrical contractor (not the one I used) :-

"Do I need an EICR if I have an EIC in place?

It depends on what the EIC is for.

If the EIC is for a full-house rewiring or a new build property, then you are exempt for five years after the date the EIC was issued. You need to provide a copy of this EIC to your tenant, as well as your local authority if they ask.

If the EIC only covers a part of the house (for example, if you had a new distribution board installed) then you would need to get an EICR report carried out for the rest of the property."

The above quote is only that firm's interpretation of course.

Comparing the list of tick boxes on the EIC and EICR forms, the latter is more detailed/comprehensive. It would appear the EIC does not check all the things the EICR does.

JB

10:54 AM, 10th February 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Gunga Din at 10/02/2021 - 10:51
Looking at my EIC and EICR's the list of tick boxes look pretty similar

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