Importance of Landlords’ Electrical Certificates in the UK Rental Sector

Do you know why electrical safety certificates are important? As landlords, do you confirm tenants’ safety while renting a property? If not, then you must read this useful post today thoroughly to know the importance of landlords’ electrical certificates in the UK rental sector.

In the rental sector, the legal duty of each landlord is not limited to tenants’ safety but to preserving the property value. In simple words, to stay compliant, landlords need electrical safety certificates while avoiding accidents. Therefore, a landlord, regardless of the number of properties he or she owns, must get an updated electrical certificate every five years while confirming the safety of tenants.

What is EICR? Why You Need EICR?

The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal document landlords get after the final testing and thorough inspection of the electrical installation of properties. This report clearly shows whether the electrical system of a property is working properly and is safe for tenants or not. The EICR report is a way to confirm that a landlord has taken all necessary measures to keep a property electrically safe for tenants for a long time. Thus, a landlord gets the electrical certificate following the final EICR report.

Why EICR Report Matters for UK Landlords?

In the UK rental sector, you can’t become a landlord legally if you fail to fulfil a few legal requirements imposed by the UK government. In other words, the EICR report of your property must show that all electrical systems are working and according to legal requirements. As a result, it becomes difficult to get an electrical safety certificate if the EICR is not according to legal standards. Therefore, landlords must fulfil the following legal requirements to get an EICR report without any delay for the final electrical certificate.

·Thorough testing of electrical installations every five years through a qualified and experienced electrician. This one-time test every five years helps the landlord identify potential electrical installation issues in circuits and wiring.

·The landlord must provide a clear copy of the electrical certificate for both authorities and tenants after the final testing or electrical inspection.

·If the EICR report shows any electrical issues, then it becomes the legal duty for a landlord to address the issue clearly with the authorities immediately to limit serious damages in the future.

·Landlord must confirm that the electrical testing is thorough and that there is no electrical system left in the property that needs inspection.

·Landlords must deliver the EICR report to the relevant authorities to get the electrical certificate.

In the UK, you can’t get landlords’ electrical certificates if you fail to fulfil any of the legal requirements listed above. The EICR report helps landlords clear their properties in terms of electrical installations.

Importance of Electrical Safety Certificates for UK Landlords

Landlords’ electrical certificates are highly important to know the safety level of a property. The major goal of an electrical certificate is to confirm that a landlord’s property is according to the required safety standards while avoiding electrical damage and accidents. In addition, there are many other factors that show the importance of an electrical safety certificate for landlords, as follows.

 i. Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is one of the factors that shows the importance of electrical certificates for landlords. Compliance shows that a landlord has taken safety measures according to the legal requirements and, thus, no property violation.

  ii.            Efficient Energy Use

Efficient energy use is another important factor to get the certificate on time. In a few cases, landlords fail to avoid electrical issues like poor grounding, which result in unnecessary energy use by the electrical system. As a result, energy consumption increases, which further raises the cost. Therefore, the certificate confirms efficient energy use by property owners.

iii.            Electrical Accidents

To avoid electrical accidents, certificates are also important for landlords. Through electrical system testing, it becomes easier to overcome electrical accidents and, therefore, this factor is also important to consider as landlords while pursuing electrical certificates.

iv.            Increased Property Value

Increased property value is another factor landlords must consider today while getting electrical safety certificates. Relevant authorities issue the certificate that shows that your property is according to their safety standards. As a result, property value increases and attracts new tenants you can get as landlords.

  v.            To Avoid Legal Penalties

Electrical safety certificates for landlords are also important to avoid legal penalties. Failure to get the certificate means non-compliance in terms of legal electrical system installation. As a landlord, you may face serious penalties from the authorities if you delay getting the final certificate from the local councils. 

vi.            Property Insurance

Last but not least, electrical safety certificates are also important as they help landlords get property insurance. In case of natural disasters or electrical incidents, the certificate helps you get the required property insurance without any issue.

Effective Ways to Get Electrical Safety Certificates as Landlords

As a landlord, you must follow certain steps, as listed below, to get the electrical certificate for your rental property.

·For the EICR report, hire a professional electrician registered with the concerned department.

·EICR inspection must be according to the defined electrical safety standards to avoid legal violations.

· Overcoming electrical faults if the ECIR report shows any, like poor grounding.

·  Share the final ECIR report with authorities and tenants to fulfil rental purposes.

Wrapping Up

Until now, it has become clearer that landlords’ electrical certificates are highly necessary in the UK rental sector. Especially, to confirm tenant safety, avoid insurance issues, and legal violations, landlords must have an updated electrical safety certificate. Landlords never avoid electrical safety checks, as they lead to serious human and property damage if something happens.

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