Do I Need an Electrical Certificate to Sell My House?
Having an EICR can be important as it certifies the electrical safety of a home.
11/08/2023
Key Summary
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the safety of electrical installations in a property.
- An EICR is not legally required for homeowners but is mandatory for landlords every five years under UK regulations.
- EICR is advisable every ten years for homeowners or during certain circumstances like before buying a property or after significant electrical work.
- While selling, having an EICR can speed up the process and an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) has been required for 'notifiable' works since 2005.
- The average cost of an EICR in the UK can be anywhere between £100-£350.
What is an EICR Certificate?
An Electrical Installation
Condition Report (EICR) is a detailed document
that evaluates the safety of the electrical
installations in a property. The purpose of the
EICR is to identify any defects that may
constitute a safety hazard.
Having an
EICR can be important as it certifies the
electrical safety of a home, ensuring all
electrical installations meet the UK standard
for safety (BS 7671).
What is Included on an EICR Certificate?
An EICR certificate provides a comprehensive record of the overall health of a property's electrical system. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Examination of electrical circuits and systems that distribute electricity around the building (e.g., plug sockets, light fittings, and fuse box)
- Verification of the earthing and bonding of installations
- Inspection of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration
- Identification of any electrical installations that do not meet the present-day safety standards
The EICR does not include an assessment of appliances, such as fridges, cookers, or any other machines that are plugged into or wired into the property's electrical system, as these are covered by PAT testing.
Is an EICR a Legal Requirement?
While homeowners are not legally required to
have an EICR for their personal home, it is
recommended to conduct one every 10 years to
ensure the electrical safety of the home. For
landlords, however, under the
Electrical Safety
Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England)
Regulations 2020, an up-to-date EICR is required
with a check performed by a qualified
professional every five years.
While an
EICR is a legal requirement for landlords but
not a necessity for homeowners, it might be
worth considering one anyway as it offers many
advantages including peace of mind, identifying
potential problems before they escalate, and
maintaining the property's electrical system in
good working order.
When Might I Need an EICR?
As previously mentioned, it is advisable to
have an EICR done every ten years for homeowners
or at the change of occupancy, however, there
are certain circumstances when you might need an
EICR:
Before buying a property: It's wise
to ensure the property is electrically safe
before purchase.
- After a flood or fire
- These can cause significant damage to electrical installations.
- If your property is old
- Older properties with outdated wiring systems are more likely to have electrical issues.
- If you’ve carried out significant electrical work
- An EICR will confirm that it's safe and up to standard.
In each of these instances, an EICR can play a pivotal role in safeguarding your property's electrical integrity.
Do I Need an EICR to Sell My House?
Although it is not a legal requirement to
have an EICR when selling your home, it can
prove beneficial and even speed up the sales
process, particularly if your buyer is asking
for an electrical certificate.
Furthermore, the law requires you to have an
Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) if any
'notifiable' electrical works have been carried
out on your home since 2005. This signifies that
all new electrical installations are safe and
comply with building regulations.
Impact of Not Having an EICR
Having an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is not just a box to be ticked when selling your home, but a critical element in ensuring the safety of a property's electrical system. The implications of not having an EICR can range from safety concerns to potential financial repercussions.
From a safety perspective, without a recent
EICR, the state of the property's electrical
installations remains unknown. This can lead to
undetected faults or deterioration, increasing
the risk of electrical fires or electric shocks,
which can cause harm to occupants and property.
From a financial standpoint, many home
insurance providers consider an up-to-date EICR
while assessing policy terms. In the absence of
an EICR, an insurer may increase the premium or
even refuse to provide cover, leaving the
homeowner vulnerable to financial losses if any
electrical-related incidents occur.
Additionally, if you're selling, potential
buyers may demand a lower price, delay the sale,
or even withdraw their interest entirely if an
EICR is not available.
How Much Does an EICR Cost?
The cost of an EICR can vary depending on several factors including the size of the property, the number of electrical circuits, and the electrician's hourly rate. As a rough guide, the table details the average EICR costs in the UK:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my electrician give me a certificate?
There could be many reasons why an electrician won't give a certificate. One of the primary reasons is that they might have found defects, such as a lack of earthing, that must be rectified before they can issue a valid EICR.
What does 'electrical compliance certificate when selling a house' mean?
An electrical compliance certificate is typically referred to as an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), and it must be provided when selling a house if any 'notifiable' electrical works have been carried out on your home since 2005.
What is a 'house electrical certificate'?
If you hear the phrase “house electrical certificate” then it is referring to an EICR.
What is the process for getting an EICR?
Obtaining an EICR involves hiring a certified electrician who inspects the fixed electrical installations in your property, a process that can last a few hours to a full day, depending on the property size and system complexity. Post-inspection, the electrician provides a detailed EICR, indicating any identified issues and their severity level, and determining the overall condition of the electrical installations as 'satisfactory' or 'unsatisfactory'. If any significant issues are found and rectified, a final 'satisfactory' EICR is issued, which the homeowner should keep for selling or insurance purposes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether you need an electrical
certificate to sell your house is dependent on
how keen you are for a quick sale. It isn’t a
legal requirement to have a certificate but it
certainly can simplify the sales process.
Not only can it make your house sale easier,
but it gives you peace of mind, and ensures the
safety of your home's electrical system. From
understanding what an EICR certificate is, to
knowing when it might be required and how much
it might cost, we've covered all aspects of this
integral component of home maintenance and
sales.