Call of the month - New EICR at change of tenancy?

A landlord called our landlord support team for clarification as to whether they would needed to renew the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) at tenant change. 

The member explained their rental property in Manchester has had a valid EICR certificate since August 2020. Their current tenant is  moving out over Christmas, and in the New Year the landlord plans to re-let the property to a new tenant.

They wanted to understand if the change in tenant means they would need to arrange for a new EICR to be carried out, prior to advertising the property for let.

Our response

Our adviser began by explaining that it is more than three years since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 were introduced, and the law requires private landlords to ensure every electrical installation in their residential premises is inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years by a qualified and competent person.

Therefore because the EICR is still valid, the landlord doesn’t need to renew this just yet.

Our adviser also pointed this landlord in the direction of Safe2, the compliance arm of the NRLA. Landlords can use Safe2 to help arrange a variety of property safety certificates, including EICRs. What’s more, you can be assured certificates will be carried out by a qualified electrician.