Who Can Check My Electrics?

Choosing an approved registered contractor to check your electrics is as important as choosing an approved mechanic to carry out an MOT on your car. It is however, something that is never thought about, and is very rarely kept on top of by homeowners around the country. 

People can easily get confused when learning what needs to be checked, when they need to be checked and who can check your electrics.

This is why we’ve put together a “how to” guide for home owners to take a look at. Hopefully this can answer any questions that may be lingering.

So Who Can Actually Check my Electrics?

This must seem like such an obvious answer at the outset. But when it comes to electricians, some are more qualified than others. Some specialise in domestic properties only. Some specialise in Commercial properties only. And some might say they specialise in both.

Unfortunately, some aren’t electricians at all and are referred to as “cowboy electricians”.  We set ourselves apart from that crowd at IPF Electrical, as we’re proud of every installation and service that we complete.

It is important to make sure you are not duped in to hiring someone who seemingly is an electrician. Not only will it be unlikely that they’re qualified, it’s highly likely that you’ll be underquoted but then overcharged.

Cowboys – what to look out for

• No contract
• Don’t discuss business details
• Wanting full payment upfront
• Unprofessional
• Seems too good to be true – it normally is
• Have immediate availability

There are several things you can do when looking for someone to check your electrics, from checking they’re registered down to checking reviews from other people.  

Using websites such as Check a Trader can help when trying to find a genuine electrician. There are normally an array of reviews with each electrician. And registered electricians are normally registered here also.

At IPF Electrical, we have a team of experienced electrical professionals who provide a professional service to all our customers.  We have a range of skills, paired with our industry level training and experience.

How Often Should I Check my Electrics?

Electrical installations in the home can deteriorate just like everything else.  General wear and tear, ageing, all factor in to the deterioration, which is why electrical tests should be carried out regularly. If you’d like to know, in more detail, how often you should check your electrics, just click the highlighted link on this line.

For domestic properties, it is highly recommended to have your electrics checked at least once every 10 years. 

If you are a landlord of a property, you should look to have your electrics checked every 5 years. If a tenancy comes to an end before this 5 year period, you this should carry this out before new tenants occupy the residence.

All businesses should have their electrics checked every 5 years.

These guidelines are advised by British Standard BS 76719 (IET Wiring Regulations).

What’s Involved in Having my Electrics Checked?

The basic explanation, is that an electrician will check all electrical installations for any faults.  

There are several faults that can occur such as electrical circuits becoming overloading during usage or if a circuit has not been installed correctly.  These faults can lead to electric shocks or even a fire, which is why it is so important to have your electrics tested.

Once you have chosen your electrician, be sure to discuss in depth with your electrician what they will do. So you are informed exactly what is and isn’t included.

The inspection itself should include the following:

• Earthing and Bonding
• Switchgear and Control gear suitability – as an example old wooden fuse boxes that may need replacing
• Sockets, switches and light fittings that may need replacing due to cracks in plastic fixtures or old fixtures that are no longer in use
• Age of wiring and type/condition – as an example pre 19060’s cabling coating was black & red, this has been replaced for Blue, Brown and green/yellow.
• Wear and Tear, damage and any other deterioration
• Changes to the property since the last inspection, that may lead to unsafe conditions

Once your electrician has completed the investigation, you will be issued with an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).  This report will detail and damage, deterioration or dangerous conditions.  It will also include anything non-compliant with current safety standard that could lead to dangerous conditions putting people at risk.

If your test comes back negative, this will lead to a record of “unsatisfactory”.  This indicated that immediate work is required to cease risk to anyone living or working in the property.  

There should also be details regarding which electrical system or systems failed the test. The following codes are assigned to the work required:

• C1 – Danger is present, immediate action is required, there is likely risk of injury
• C2 – Potentially dangerous, remedial action urgently needed
• C3 – Improvements to the electrical system are recommended (This is the only code that can appear on an EICR and still pass the test)

Once your system has passed the inspection, whether that be immediately or following any C1 or C2 work completed, you will be issued an EICR Certificate of Safety. You can relax knowing your home is safe and your electrics are fully compliant.

To Conclude: Who can Check my Electrics?

It is important that you have the best experience possible having an inspection carried out in your home. In order for this, you should feel comfortable with your electrician. 

Be sure to make sure you’re fully informed of what is going to happen during your electrical inspection. Feeling confident about having your electrics checked is exactly how you should feel. Your electrician should be able to provide you with everything necessary to make this happen.

Our engineers at IPF Electrical can help you with your journey to your certificate of Safety. Feel free to give us a call and we can help. We want to ensure that all of our customers have the best experience possible, and we are here to do that.

How Often Should Electrics Be Checked in a Rented Home?

Electrical Safety Rules for All Tenancies

Councils, housing associations and private landlords must make sure the electrics in a property are safe and legal. This is for the whole lifetime of an official tenancy.

All wiring and electrical installations must be kept in safe working order. Installations can include appliances and fittings such as:

• Electric water heaters
• Heating systems
• Plug sockets
• Fuse boxes
• Light fittings

This applies to almost all tenancies even if it is not directly mentioned in your agreement.

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020. It applies to all tenancies that are created on or after such date in England from 1 July 2020.

These new regulations require all landlords to have any electrical installations in their rented properties inspected at least every 5 years. They must also be tested by a person who is qualified, registered and competent.

Landlords also have to provide an official copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants and to the local authority if requested.

Your Electrics Should Be Checked Every 5 Years

Due to the above legislation, from 1st June 2020, private landlords in England are required to have electrics and electrical installations checked every 5 years in their rental properties.

Checks must be carried out by a fully qualified electrician to ensure that they meet safety standards.

What Does This Mean For You?

From 1st July 2020, electrical installations must be inspected and tested prior to the start of any new tenancy. All checks must be carried out on any existing tenancies by 1st April 2021. Moving forward, these checks must then be carried out on a five yearly basis.

A copy of the most recent electrical safety condition report (EICR) must legally be provided to both new and current tenants.

Who’s Responsible for Checking My Electrics?

The landlord of the property is responsible for making sure that any selected electrician who completes the check is suitably qualified and registered.

The best way to ensure you’re working with a professional electrical contractor is to check whether they’re a member of an accredited registration scheme. These are often operated by a recognized body and will give you the confidence that this has been achieved.

Do I need To Check My Electrical Appliances?

As a landlord, if you are supplying electrical appliances as a part of the signed rental agreement, you need to make sure that you register the appliances with the manufacturer.

As a tenant, your landlord may ask a qualified electrician to carry out portable appliance testing (PAT) on all electrical equipment they have supplied you with the tenancy. For example: TVs, white goods, kettles or toasters.

This means that in the event of a fault or electrical problem, the manufacturer can contact and guide you. It is also advised to ask your tenants to register any electrical products that they bring into the rental property.

Find out more about registering your electrical appliances here.

You can also use Electrical Safety First’s product checker to find out if any of the appliances that you and your tenants own have been subject to a recall or safety notice.

My EICR is Less Than 5 years Old, Do I Have to Get Another One Done?

No, not necessarily, although it is best to consult a professional electrician on this. You should make sure to review your report and see what was recommended on it. And consider the state of your property and how it has been let since it was carried out.

If there are big differences that have occurred to the property, e.g. high turnover of tenants, flood damage, DIY work found, then it would be essential to get another electrical safety report done. If no changes have been made, then your report will remain valid for the full 5 years. And until the next inspection date specified on the previous report.

How IPF Electrical Can Help

Contact us today to discuss how we can help with your Electrical Checks & Reports. We offer a wide range of services, including Fixed Wire Testing and PAT Testing.