How Often Do I Need an Electrical Inspection?

Electrical safety is a crucial aspect of home and business maintenance. In the UK, the frequency of electrical inspections is governed by safety regulations designed to protect both property and people. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, knowing when to schedule an electrical inspection can help prevent accidents, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain the safety and functionality of your electrical system.

We’re here to tell you how often electrical inspections are needed in different situations across the UK, including the latest regulations that apply to rental properties, commercial buildings, and residential homes.

Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) Overview

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a detailed inspection of the electrical installations in a property. It identifies any potential issues such as faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or outdated equipment that could pose a safety risk. The inspection also ensures that the installation complies with current British Standards (BS 7671), which is the UK standard for electrical installations.

EICRs are a legal requirement for some types of properties, especially rental and commercial buildings, and they’re highly recommended for homeowners to maintain the safety of their electrical systems. Mullins Electrical Services offer a full electrical code compliance service, including EICR reports, inspections and certification, so if your business is due an inspection, make us your first port of call.

How Often Should Residential Properties Be Inspected?

For homeowners in the UK, electrical safety is vital for ensuring the safety of the property and its occupants. While there is no legal obligation for homeowners to have regular inspections, it is highly recommended that domestic electrical systems be inspected at least every 10 years.

However, certain factors may require more frequent inspections:

Older Properties: If your home is over 30 years old or has older wiring (like fuse boxes instead of modern consumer units), an inspection should be done every 5 years.

Before Purchasing a Home: It is advisable to have an electrical inspection as part of the survey before buying a property, particularly if the electrical installation is old or has not been recently inspected.

Mullins Electrical Services carry out regular residential inspections which can identify issues like outdated wiring, damaged equipment, or overloaded circuits that could pose a fire risk.

Landlords and Rental Properties

Under UK law, landlords are required to have the electrical installations in rental properties inspected and tested regularly. As of 1st April 2021, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into full effect. These regulations require:

Mandatory Inspections Every 5 Years: Landlords must ensure the electrical installations in their properties are inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified electrician.

Electrical Safety Certificates: After the inspection, landlords must provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) to their tenants, and if requested, to the local authority.

New Tenancies: For new tenancies, the EICR must be provided to the tenant before they move in, while for existing tenancies, the certificate must be provided within 28 days of the inspection.

Failing to comply with these regulations can result in fines of up to £30,000, making it essential for landlords to stay up to date with inspections. If you’re a landlord in the Ruislip and Harrow areas, call our team today to get inspections on your properties up-to-date.

Commercial Properties

For commercial buildings, the frequency of electrical inspections depends on the nature of the business and the building itself. The general recommendation is that commercial properties should be inspected every 5 years or more frequently if required by the business operations. For example:

Offices, Shops, and Warehouses: These should typically undergo an EICR every 5 years.

Industrial Installations: More demanding environments, such as factories or industrial sites, may need more frequent inspections depending on the electrical load and wear on the equipment.

Employers also have a legal duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to ensure that electrical installations in the workplace are maintained in a safe condition.

Situations Requiring Immediate Electrical Inspections

In addition to regular inspections, certain circumstances may require an immediate EICR or electrical check by Mullins Electrical Services. These include:

After Significant Renovation or Electrical Work: If you’ve had major electrical work done (e.g., rewiring or adding circuits), an inspection is necessary to ensure the new work complies with safety standards.

After Electrical Faults or Damage: If you experience frequent tripping of circuit breakers, flickering lights, or buzzing sounds from your electrical outlets, an inspection should be carried out as soon as possible to identify any underlying problems.

Following Fire or Flood Damage: Properties affected by fire or water damage should always have their electrical systems inspected to ensure the installation has not been compromised.

Consequences of Not Having Regular Inspections

At Mullins Electrical Services, we fully understand that failing to conduct regular electrical inspections can lead to serious safety hazards, including the following;

Fire Risk: Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits are leading causes of electrical fires in the UK.

Electrical Shocks: Old or damaged electrical installations can result in electric shocks, posing a direct threat to occupants.

Legal Liability: For landlords and business owners, failing to comply with legal requirements can result in heavy fines or legal action, particularly if an incident occurs due to faulty electrics.

Choosing a Qualified Electrician

In the UK, only qualified and competent electricians should perform electrical inspections. When hiring someone to carry out an EICR, ensure they are registered with a recognised body such as:

• NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
• Stroma Certification

Mullins Electrical Services, based in Ruislip employ a team of registered electricians, who are trained to carry out inspections in accordance with British Standards, and their work is regularly assessed to ensure it meets national safety standards. Give us a call today if you require an inspection, or even if you are unsure. You can find more details about these and our other business and residential electrical services in Greater London elsewhere on our website.

Contact Mullins Electrical Services by calling us on 07793 010 162, emailing us on info@mullinselectricalservices.uk, or even just send us a DM on our social platforms.