New EICR to cover any changes made by outgoing tenant?

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 14/05/2021 - 13:07
Yes, I must confess I've done a bit of a U-Turn since we started the debate. But agree, you don't need "change of occupancy". It's up to the landlord.
This also means HMO's are no longer an issue.

Reply to the comment left by michaelwgroves at 14/05/2021 - 13:33
I am relieved that we have reached an agreed practical conclusion, even if we have got there by different routes!

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 14/05/2021 - 14:04
It was a good debate, always good to learn something.

And please don't ask me as I am still confused and still not finished reading the 17th Edition let alone the 18th🤣

Reply to the comment left by Gary Nock at 05/05/2021 - 00:41
Well said Gary these experts are like a rash all over facebook et al, pontificating about them being the most knowledgeable and telling landlords they know best, with the more unscrupulous ones inventing problems that they will fix at a cost

Reply to the comment left by Roger P at 15/05/2021 - 14:42
I agree there are some electricians that are not doing a good enough job...

I would say on the flip side as an electrician there are plenty of landlords that are also doing dodgy things. I didnt do the EICR but asked to quote for remedial works on a flat, both consumer units (on peak and off peak) required replacement as they were dangerous. Obviously was never going to be a cheap job, landlords response was "No thats too expensive I dont have any money. Well ive done the EICR so thats all I need to do. Forget it im not going to bother", this is from someone I did work for that just sold a flat for over £300k and spent £130 on a light fitting that I said just replace it with like a £30 light fitting. I dont care if she gets it done by me or someone else but the work needs doing, there are plenty of properties both rental and owner occupier that are frankly dangerous. Just last week on friday came across an outside light spured from the ring final circuit on 1.5mm cable with the only protection being a 32A mcb..

I personally am not a fan of doing EICR's as even I have to reduce my prices as its so competitive, I get less than my usual rate, so when electricians are having to make less on EICR's because estate agents are dictating how much they are willing to pay, its no wonder dodgy practices like finding extra work or charging more for remedials is happening.

This interview recorded with an electrician last year to help landlords understand the process and avoid being ripped off was shared by property118 see https://youtu.be/DFgK3uwkLwM

The report lasts for 5 years bit like a car MOT

As a landlord if you suspect a prior tenent has tinkered with electrics making them unsafe you have a duty of care to have them checked out to prevent you being named in a criminal prosecution if someone was injured

So No you dont have to undertake one after tenant changes but would advise doing if you suspect a problem may exist to protect you and your business

Reply to the comment left by Andrew at 21/05/2021 - 16:59
...to protect you and your business AND the safety of your new tenant.

https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/electrical-safety-does-changing-tenants-affect-EICR

"However, some inspectors are not setting out their EICRs like this. Sometimes the EICR will state that it will last for ‘five years, or until a change of tenancy’ for example. Our research found that this was put on just over 7% of EICRs issued in the last year. This is a holdover from old guidance for inspections of social housing, suggesting the inspector is referring to outdated information"

Peter asked, "If a tenant moves on should I get a new EICR? I presume if you don’t then the landlord becomes legally responsible for any change that may have occurred during the previous tenancy?" I know it’s not normal for tenants to change the wiring, but they do change light fittings and adjust wiring sometimes without informing the landlord. Is this an area landlords could get caught out with?"

In law, the correct answer is yes. The judge would look at the landlord being responsible for his electrical installation. As a landlord, the regulations say that, as a MINIMUM, for you to get your rental property checked both annually and also an EICR to be carried out every 5 years, or a change of occupancy.

If somebody dies due to any electrical installation fault at your rental property, then good luck to any landlord that simply ignores the above paragraph, because you will absolutely need all the luck that you can get.