What you need to know about EICR checks | Tenant news

Did you know that as your landlord, we have a legal obligation to carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - which is a safety check of the electrical system in your home – every five years?

A qualified electrician will check the electrical wiring and fittings in your home, including sockets, light fittings, wiring and your consumer unit (fuse box).

They’ll look for damage, signs of wear and tear, and other problems that may not be obvious. The check helps identify any work needed to keep your electrical system safe to use.

Faulty wiring and electrical problems can increase the risk of electric shocks and fires. Regular checks help spot problems early and make sure your home’s electrical system remains safe.

What happens during the check?

If your home is due for an EICR, we’ll contact you to arrange a suitable time.The electrician will need access to your home to carry out the inspection. They’ll test the electrical installation and check that it’s safe.

You may need to switch off some electrical equipment during the check. The electrician will explain what they need to do.

Once the check is complete, a report will show whether the electrical installation is safe or if any problems need to be fixed. If further work is needed, we’ll let you know what happens next.

Reducing fire risks

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of fire or injury caused by an electrical fault:

• Never try to make any alterations to the wiring, sockets or light fittings in your home – if you want to make any changes, you should speak to us first .
• Switch off appliances when not in use.
• Always switch off and disconnect TVs from their power source at night.
• Make sure all plugs are wired correctly.
• Check power cords regularly, never use damaged ones and don’t run them under carpets or rugs.
• Never touch switches with wet or damp hands.
• Never wire more than one electrical appliance into one plug.
• Don’t run any appliances from a light fitting.
  
  

Report problems

You don’t need to wait for an EICR to report an electrical problem in your home.

If you notice damaged sockets or switches, flickering lights, burning smells, damaged cables or your electricity keeps tripping, please report it to Habinteg as soon as possible by calling 0300 365 3100 or email direct@habinteg.org.uk.

If you’d like to know more, or if you want to read our Electrical Safety Policy, visit www.habinteg.org.uk/electric.

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