Q The electrics in my home are very outdated and I’d like to have everything checked to make sure it’s safe. What does this involve? Eva Harris, South Shields
A Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, explains…
Like most things, all electrical installations, over time, will deteriorate naturally. This is because they are a working system made up of various components and equipment. Just like you’d have an MOT for your car, it is extremely important to carry out regular checks on the condition of the electrics throughout your home.
The inspection and testing could help identify any defects that may require fixing to keep the home running safely.
An electrical installation condition report – most commonly known as an EICR – identifies any signs of damage or deterioration that may rise to danger and need future work. For homeowners, we recommend that these checks are carried out at least every 10 years. For landlords (the rented sector), we recommend that they’re done every five years – however, the rules vary across the UK, so do ask your certified electrical contractor for more information on what applies to your local area. Currently, this legal requirement doesn’t extend to social landlords, but NICEIC’s firm recommendation is that it should and we know that many housing associations currently follow this schedule. You can search for an NICEIC approved contractor to carry out these checks by visiting niceic.com and typing in your postcode. Be sure to get three different contractor quotes before agreeing to any work.