How to choose someone for EICR testing? (and trust issues)

[EFLImpudence]

I am afraid that literally anyone is allowed to do EICRs but it actually requires extensive knowledge and experience.

 

[plugwash]

nknown why the meter has been located so far away from everything else

It looks to me like the meter has been relocated relatively recently. I would guess either there was not enough space to replace the meter in it's original location, or the meter was moved to make it more accessible.

 

[JohnW2]

That seems bizarrare, but yes I noticed it from a few other searches here. Why such a wide range of opinions. Is it a question of probabilities? Some people are considering extremely low probabilities, while others don't? Everyone should be following the same science, so I can't think of any other explanation.

Yes, that's certainly part of it - attitudes to risks of low, or very/extremely low probability vary considerably between individuals. Also, in a more general sense, attitudes to acceptable levels (probabilities) of risk change over time.

In context, one of the main issues is that some people seem to feel that, even if a certain practice has been accepted as adequately safe for years, or decades, if new regulations impose 'tighter' requirements (e.g. in relation to 'new technology' for new installations, it becomes 'essential' to bring desisting installations up to the 'new standard' (and, by implication. 'dangerous' if one doesn't) - even though nothing is going to be any less safe 'tomorrow' than it was when it was regarded as adequately safe 'yesterday', or 2, 5 or 25 years ago.

There is a big issue in relation to EICRs. Unlike, say, MOT tests (for which explicit pass/fail criteria are mandated for a high proportion of things, with relatively little being left to the judgment/discretion of the tester) there is virtually no guidance, let alone 'rules', about the 'coding' of observations on an EICR. In particular, it is down to the judgement/opinion of the inspector to decide whether or not an observed 'defect' qualifies as "C2: Potentially dangerous - urgent remedial action required" (which is essentially a 'fail' on an EICR) - and different inspectors will vary considerably in that judgement/opinion in relation to any particular issue. Couple that with the fact that there are absolutely no requirements/restrictions as to who can undertake an EICR and the situation becomes seriously unsatisfactory - particularly since advent of the "private rented sector" legislation that has given (potentially costly) 'teeth' to EICRs.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

It looks to me like the meter has been relocated relatively recently. I would guess either there was not enough space to replace the meter in it's original location, or the meter was moved to make it more accessible.

It may be an optical illusion, but it looks to me as if that meter would fit happily next to the cutout. As for 'accessibility', my meter is 7-8 feet above floor level, and no-one has ever suggested that it should be moved.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Also I'm considering getting multiple EICR now and going with the cheapest resolution.

If you paid anything like realistic prices for each of multiple ('proper') EICRs, the overall cost of the exercise might not be as 'cheap' as you would hope.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

“qualified person” means a person competent to undertake the inspection and testing required under regulation 3(1) and any further investigative or remedial work in accordance with the electrical safety standards;

Competent person. A person who possesses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and, where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.

Note:- the competent person was dropped in latter editions of BS 7671.

But it means if I get a home buyers report done, and the surveyor doing the report makes comments on the state of the electrics, he has made an EICR within his report, which is clearly not the intention of the law, but it makes a mockery of the law, and if you get an EICR done enough times some one will pass it.

However we always have some one who is working in a property, be it postman, or care worker, some one will go into that home while working, could even be the tenant working on their PC, so in real terms the electricity at work act applies, and to rent a property which is not safe, still leaves up open to being taken to court.

Going back to 26 Oct 2009 I see a report about the landlady being fined. It does not need the new law, and if anything the new law with the 28 day grace is less strict, if you know it is not safe, i.e. if any report says not safe, you are going to need to correct it.

I had the same problem with my mother's old house, she was about to go into a home, but wanted to feel she could return home if she got better, even if highly unlikely, so better for her piece of mind if rented, so we had a letting agent come around, the list was silly, it included a new hob, as only two rings, they said I needed four, and I was looking at £2000 at least to do all the work, as it happened mother died so house sold.

I am seeing requests for homes to rent all the time now, as landlords are worried about the new Welsh laws, and what they will be charged, it seems everyone is selling up.

 

[Dace]

I am afraid that literally anyone is allowed to do EICRs but it actually requires extensive knowledge and experience.

I will use highly rated companies for any EICR. Out of curiosity if I DID get an idiot to do it as long as I get the certification isn't it still fine? The well rated company could still technically send me anyone. Even in the extreme situation where a tenant gets injured, if I think the person is qualified and give certificates, how can it be my fault.

 

[Dace]

If you paid anything like realistic prices for each of multiple ('proper') EICRs, the overall cost of the exercise might not be as 'cheap' as you would hope.

Kind Regards, John

If the repair work means I have to spend 8k, Id defo. get another EICR. I dont want any serious danger and will do evrything in my power to increase the chances that I get someone qualified.

 

[JohnW2]

If the repair work means I have to spend 8k, Id defo. get another EICR.

Sure, but £8k would imply a complete rewire (and, depending upon the property, could well be OTT even for that0, which will rarely be 'required' as the result of an EICR. Probably the most common (and sometimes the most contentious) issues relate to "new CU required" - and that, per se, will usually only be a few hundred quid at most, which would not buy you many (decent) 'multipole EICRs'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Dace]

Sure, but £8k would imply a complete rewire (and, depending upon the property, could well be OTT even for that0, which will rarely be 'required' as the result of an EICR. Probably the most common (and sometimes the most contentious) issues relate to "new CU required" - and that, per se, will usually only be a few hundred quid at most, which would not buy you many (decent) 'multipole EICRs'.

Kind Regards, John

I guess I'm being pessimistic, thanks for the general cost of the CU's. My problem is I have bs communication skills, I come across as an idiot despite being fairly middling, I generally have a higher chance of getting nonsense quotes from workmen.

 

[JohnW2]

But it means if I get a home buyers report done, and the surveyor doing the report makes comments on the state of the electrics, he has made an EICR within his report, which is clearly not the intention of the law, but it makes a mockery of the law ...

That makes no sense. I cannot see how 'comments about the state of the electrics' produced by a surveyor could possibly qualify as an EICR. Apart from anything else, a surveyor would not have the means of undertaking the many measurements that are a crucial part of an EICR, even if he/she had some idea of how to do it or interpret the results.

Kind Regards, John

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

so in real terms the electricity at work act applies

I find that hard to swallow...

 

[JohnW2]

I find that hard to swallow...

Ditto.

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

When you get an EICR for renting purposes a copy gets sent to the council. You cannot just get another more lenient one as the council will need proof the faults have been corrected.

 

[JohnW2]

When you get an EICR for renting purposes a copy gets sent to the council. .....

Only if the council 'requests it' ....

....3) Following the inspection and testing required under sub-paragraphs (1)(b) and (c) a private landlord must—
(a) obtain a report from the person conducting that inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test;
(b) supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test;
(c) supply a copy of that report to the local housing authority within 7 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that authority ....