Absolutely. Many mortgage lenders and insurance providers request evidence that a property’s electrical installation is safe before approving an application or issuing a policy. A satisfactory EICR provides that evidence. Even where it is not a formal requirement, having a current report can strengthen your position during the underwriting process and may help avoid delays at the point of exchange. If the report is unsatisfactory, most insurers and lenders will want to see that the identified issues have been resolved before proceeding.

Yes, we regularly inspect communal areas including shared hallways, stairwells, landings, and basement utility rooms across blocks of flats and converted properties in Hampstead. Freeholders, management companies, and housing associations are typically responsible for ensuring that the electrical installations in these shared spaces are tested and certified. We can inspect communal areas as a standalone job or alongside individual flat inspections if multiple units need testing at the same time.

There is currently no legal obligation for homeowners to obtain an EICR before putting a property on the market. However, many buyers and their solicitors now request one during the conveyancing process, and not having a report ready can slow down or complicate the sale. A satisfactory EICR reassures buyers that the wiring is safe and up to standard, which can help negotiations go more smoothly. If your property is older or has not had its electrics inspected in some time, getting an EICR before listing is a sensible step.

You do not need to be there in person for the entire inspection. However, someone over the age of eighteen must be available to let the engineer into the property and to provide access to the consumer unit, loft space, and any locked rooms where wiring or sockets need to be tested. If you cannot attend yourself, a tenant, keyholder, or letting agent can provide access on your behalf. We will let you know in advance what access is needed so that the inspection can run without interruption.

We recommend booking at least one to two weeks ahead during peak periods, which typically fall in the spring and early autumn when landlords are renewing tenancy agreements and preparing properties for new lets. January is also a busy time as many certificates issued five years earlier come up for renewal. Outside of these periods we can usually offer same-day or next-day appointments across Hampstead. If your certificate is due to expire soon, get in touch as early as possible and we will do our best to fit you in.

For privately rented properties, the law requires a new EICR at least every five years or at the change of tenancy, whichever comes first. For owner-occupied homes, there is no mandatory renewal period, but the Institution of Engineering and Technology recommends retesting every ten years — or every five years for properties built before 1980. Commercial premises should be re-inspected at intervals appropriate to the type of business, typically every three to five years depending on the environment and usage. Your EICR report will include a recommended re-inspection date based on the condition of the installation at the time of testing.

It is a good idea. Testing the electrics between tenancies allows you to identify any damage or deterioration that may have occurred while the property was occupied. Issues such as overloaded sockets, damaged wiring behind furniture, or bypassed safety devices are easier to spot and fix when the property is empty. It also means the incoming tenant moves into a property with a current, satisfactory electrical safety report, which keeps you compliant and avoids any gaps in your certification timeline.

If the inspection uncovers a Code C1 defect — meaning there is a danger present — the engineer has a duty to make the situation safe before leaving the property, which may involve isolating the affected circuit. For Code C2 issues, which indicate a potential danger, and FI observations that require further investigation, you will be given a clear written explanation of the problem along with a fixed-price quotation for the remedial work. Once the necessary repairs are completed, we re-test the affected areas and issue an updated certificate confirming the installation now meets BS 7671 standards.