To make things easy, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions below. If anything’s still unclear, or you just want to say hi, feel free to contact us and we’re always happy to help.
Hello there! We understand you might have a few questions about our services and how we can help you with your property compliance needs. To make things easy, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions below.
We hope this section gives you the clarity you’re looking for. If anything’s still unclear, or you just want to say hi, feel free to contact us — we’re always here to help
An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
An Energy Performance Certificate is needed whenever a property is built, sold or rented. You must order an EPC for potential buyers and tenants before you market your property to sell or rent.
From April 2018, landlords of privately rented domestic and non-domestic property in England or Wales must ensure that their properties reach at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of “E” before granting a new tenancy to new or existing tenants.
These requirements will then apply to all private rented properties in England and Wales – even where there has been no change in tenancy arrangements – from 1 April 2020 for domestic properties, and from 1 April 2023 for non-domestic properties.
You can place your EPC order online or over phone. Once we received your order we try to book an EPC appointment according to your availability.
We aim to email all reports within 24 hours of an appointment visit.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is also often called a Landlord Electrical Certificate. It involves a survey to create a report into the condition of the wiring of a property – fuse board, sockets, switches and lighting. The Report outlines any aspects of the installation which require attention, and shows their priority as below:
C1– Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate remedial action required.
C2– Potentially dangerous – urgent remedial action required.
C3 – Improvement recommended.
If any Code C1 or C2 faults are present, the overall rating will be ‘unsatisfactory’ meaning there are immediate risks to both the property and tenants. These should obviously be rectified as soon as possible to prevent injury, or legal repercussions if you intend renting the property.
The inspection will find out if: any electrical installations are overloaded there are any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards there is any defective electrical work there is a lack of earthing or bonding – these are 2 ways of preventing electrical shocks that are built into electrical installations.
A landlord must ensure that all electrical safety standards are met. The standards that should be met are set out in British Standard 7671, also known as the 18th edition of the Wiring Regulations.
The regulations refer to “residential premises”, which are premises all or part of which comprise a dwelling.Excluded tenancies are: shared accommodation with the landlord or the landlord’s family
long leases (including shared ownership leases) or tenancies that grant a right of occupation of seven years or more
student halls of residence
hostels and refuges
care homes, hospitals and hospices
other accommodation relating to healthcare provisions
mobile homes, caravans and boats
It depends on the size of the property but between 2-4 hours are usually enough to complete the survey.
Our electrician will need good access to sockets, switches and the distribution or ‘fuse’ board. Power will need to be turned off.
If the report or record shows that remedial work or further investigation is required, as set out above, landlords must complete this work within 28 days or any shorter period if specified as necessary in the report/record. Landlords must then provide the report/record and written confirmation that the work has been carried out to their tenant and to the local council within 28 days. Acceptable forms of written confirmation include a satisfactory EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) or other appropriate electrical certification.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) frequency depends on property type: landlords must do it every 5 years , while homeowners are recommended to do it every 10 years.
No. If inspection and testing of electrical installation in the premises was carried out less than 5 years ago and the report does not require further investigative or remedial work; a new inspection and testing is not required; the landlord must supply a copy of the most recent report to the new tenant. There is no requirement to do a further inspection and testing before re-letting the premises.
However, it is recommended that landlords carry out at least a visual inspection prior to a new tenancy commencing, to confirm that the premises remain electrically safe and that no damage or deterioration has occurred since the last report/record.
