Landlords warned to avoid cheap EICR inspections

Landlords are unwittingly putting their tenants at risk of fire hazards due to a flawed approach in hiring electricians for Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR), one firm warns.

Landlord Licensing & Defence says the current EICR regime is failing to ensure tenant safety as landlords opt for cheaper alternatives when seeking inspection services.

Under the guidelines of Section 5 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords are obligated to have their properties’ electrical installations inspected every five years.

This responsibility extends to hiring a ‘qualified and competent person’ for the job.

However, many landlords are falling into the trap of selecting electricians based on cost, rather than qualifications.

‘Duty to ensure that your tenants are safe’

The firm’s fire compliance expert, Phil Turtle, said: “As a responsible landlord, you have a duty to ensure that your tenants are safe and secure in their homes.

“That’s why we at Landlord Licensing & Defence recommend that you use the services of a reputable company to carry out an inspection that only uses properly qualified NIC/EIC or NAPIT-registered electrician.

“Please don’t put your tenants’ lives at risk by cutting corners – always invest in a thorough EICR inspection and make sure the NIC/EIC or NAPIT registered electrician is registered as an EICR tester.

“Remember, not all electricians are registered as EICR competent.”

Electricians who perform EICR inspections

At the heart of the issue are the varying levels of experience and expertise among electricians who perform EICR inspections.

Landlord Licensing & Defence says that not all electricians invest the necessary time and expertise to thoroughly test a property’s electrical installations, leading to poor safety assessments.

The firm also says that landlords who choose cost over quality when selecting electricians for EICR reports are creating a danger to tenants.

It says that while some electricians offer services at a significantly lower price point, these inspections often lack the depth and detail required to ensure tenant safety.

In some cases, one-week or two-day courses are being marketed to individuals, claiming to make them eligible to perform minimum-level electrical safety tests – and that creates a situation where landlords unknowingly compromise tenant safety in their quest for cost savings.

Inadequate EICR safety inspections

Mr Turtle points to a report by the Institute of Engineering and Technology published last year, revealing that inadequate EICR safety inspections across various buildings are increasing the risk of fire incidents.

The report says there is a systemic failure in the regulatory framework, resulting in a ‘race to the bottom’ where some electrical inspection firms are prioritising profits over public safety.

Mr Turtle also says that several local councils are now acknowledging the issue and are taking steps to address it.

He says that in regions with selective licensing regimes, there is a growing insistence on EICR certificates being exclusively carried out by electricians registered with organisations such as NIC/EIC or NAPIT.

‘Not enough time to ensure a thorough check’

Mr Turtle said: “We believe that this is a step in the right direction, as some electricians have been known to carry out up to 10 inspections per day, which is simply not enough time to ensure a thorough check.

“To put this into perspective, a thorough inspection of a flat takes around three hours, while a small house takes four hours.

“This means that a proper inspection will cost a landlord up to £500.

“However, many firms are offering cheap inspections for as little as £80.”

Landlord Licensing & Defence offers a free booklet for landlords that explains the cause of fires and how they can be prevented – and landlords can use the Registered Competent Person website to find a suitably qualified EICR tester.

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