EICR in Ramsden Heath CM11

An EICR (electrical installation condition report) is an inspection and testing of the fixed electrical parts of a building. What you need from it depends on whether the property is a family home, a rental, a sale or a business unit. This page helps you match the service to your property.

An EICR looks at the fixed electrical installation. That means the wiring, the consumer unit, sockets, light fittings, switches, and the earthing and bonding that tie it together. Fixed wire testing checks that all of this is in a safe condition for continued use, and also looks for damage, wear and signs of overload. The tests include checking polarity, so that live and neutral conductors are connected the right way round.

An EICR does not cover plug-in items such as kettles, heaters or office equipment. Equipment PAT testing is a separate check for portable appliances. If you run a business or let a furnished property, ask whether it is worth arranging both.

If you own and live in your Ramsden Heath home, an EICR is a sensible way to learn the condition of the wiring behind the walls. It is especially useful if you have just moved in, if the property has had extensions or DIY work, or if you cannot remember when the electrics were last looked at. Older houses with outdated fuse boards or mixed wiring often benefit most.

If the report shows the consumer unit is outdated or struggling, a consumer unit upgrade is the usual next step. It is a great way to improve electrical safety in a home that has grown over the years, adding more sockets, an extension or a new kitchen.

A private rented property is a different case, because tenants rely on you to keep the installation safe. A Landlord EICR gives you a clear record of the condition of the electrics at the start of, or during, a tenancy. Keep the report somewhere easy to find, because tenants, agents or councils may ask to see it.

Rules for landlords can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position on how often testing is needed and what you must provide to tenants. Do not rely on an old article or a friend's advice.

If you are buying, an EICR can show whether the wiring needs attention before you commit, which helps when you are weighing up an offer. If you are selling, having the information ready can answer a buyer's questions early and avoid surprises late in the process. EICR for Buying or Selling is arranged with that purpose in mind.

Shops, offices, workshops and other commercial units need a Commercial EICR. These buildings usually have more circuits, heavier loads and more people using them than a house. Employers have duties to keep electrical systems safe, so a regular electrical safety inspection is a practical way to reduce the risk of faults. Check HSE and GOV.UK guidance for what applies to your premises.

Use the enquiry form to tell us about the property. The more details you give, the easier it is to plan the work. Useful information includes:

The type of property: house, flat, rental, shop or office. Roughly how old it is, and whether it has been extended or rewired. The type of consumer unit, if you know it. Any problems you have noticed, such as tripping circuits or warm sockets. Any deadline, such as a sale, a new tenancy or an insurance review.

Once the installation has been inspected and tested, you receive a report that sets out what was found, so you can decide what to do next.