Electrical safety is one of the most important responsibilities for landlords in Wales. Whether you are a new landlord or have been letting property for years, understanding the difference between an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is essential.

At Padarn Property, we regularly deal with electrical safety certificates as part of managing rental properties, and one of the most common questions we hear is: “What is the difference between an EIC and an EICR?”

What is an EIC?

An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued when a new electrical installation has been installed, or when significant electrical installation work has been carried out.

It confirms that the electrical installation has been designed, installed and tested in accordance with the relevant requirements of BS 7671, and that the work was completed to the required standard.

For example, an EIC may be issued following the installation of a completely new electrical system in a newly built property.

An EIC is therefore generally associated with new electrical installation work, rather than being a routine inspection of an existing installation.

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is different.

An EICR assesses the condition and safety of an existing electrical installation. A suitably qualified electrician carries out an inspection and testing process to identify deterioration, defects or potentially dangerous issues.

For landlords in Wales, electrical installations in rental properties must be inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the previous inspection recommends this.

The EICR will state whether the electrical installation is satisfactory and identify any issues that require attention.

What happens if an EICR identifies problems?

An EICR may identify different levels of electrical defects.

Some of the codes landlords may see include:

• C1 – Danger Present: Immediate action is required.
• C2 – Potentially Dangerous: Urgent remedial work is required.
• C3 – Improvement Recommended: An improvement is recommended, although it does not necessarily mean the installation is unsafe.
• FI – Further Investigation Required: Further investigation is needed to establish whether a dangerous issue exists.

A report containing C1, C2 or FI findings will make the installation unsatisfactory and should be dealt with promptly. Rent Smart Wales specifically advises landlords to arrange the necessary remedial works as soon as possible.

Does every rental property need an EICR?

For properties being rented under an occupation contract in Wales, landlords have a responsibility to ensure the electrical installation is inspected and tested and that a valid report is available.

A current EICR must be provided to the contract-holder within 14 days of the occupation date, and a further copy must be provided within 14 days following a periodic inspection where the previous report becomes invalid during the occupation contract.

Where remedial or investigatory electrical work is carried out, the contract-holder must also receive written confirmation of the work within the required timeframe.

What about newly built properties?

This is where an EIC can be particularly relevant.

For a newly built dwelling, an EIC can be used in place of an EICR initially. However, once the property is being let, Rent Smart Wales guidance explains that the electrical certification is subject to a five-year period for the purposes of the rental property requirements.

Landlords should therefore keep careful records of when the next inspection is due rather than assuming that a certificate issued when a property was newly built will remain sufficient indefinitely.

Why is electrical safety so important?

Electrical faults can create serious risks, including electric shock and fire.

Under the Renting Homes (Wales) framework, electrical safety forms part of the requirements for a property to be considered fit for human habitation. Rent Smart Wales identifies electrical safety, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as key landlord requirements.

It is therefore not simply a case of obtaining a certificate and putting it away in a file. Landlords should make sure that:

• The correct inspection is carried out by a suitably qualified person.
• The EICR is current.
• Any required remedial works are completed.
• Copies of relevant documentation are provided to the contract-holder.
• Records are kept securely.
• The next inspection date is diarised.

EIC or EICR – which one do I need?

In simple terms:

EIC = certification following new electrical installation work.

EICR = inspection and condition report for an existing electrical installation.

Both are important documents, but they serve different purposes.

For landlords, keeping on top of electrical safety is an essential part of managing a compliant rental property. At Padarn Property, we understand how easy it can be for important renewal dates and certification to get lost amongst the day-to-day responsibilities of being a landlord.

That is where professional property management can help.

If you are a landlord in Aberystwyth or the surrounding area and would like help keeping your property compliant, Padarn Property can help manage the ongoing responsibilities of your rental property.