Putting your house up for sale requires considerable preparation and planning. It is important to have all the documentation ready and familiarise yourself with everything you need to sell your home. Ensuring your property is electrically safe is one of the first crucial steps. Arranging an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can help you reassure potential buyers and help speed up the process. This guide will cover everything you need to know about electrical safety when you are preparing to sell your home.
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is an official document provided by electricians or engineers following the completion of an electrical inspection of a property. It is carried out in order to assess the safety of the existing electrical installation and ensure there is no damage or signs of wear and tear. Whilst it might be easy to notice visible structural damage, faulty and old wiring might be difficult to pinpoint. The report will record the results from the inspection as well as any damage which may cause an electric shock or wires which do not meet the IET Wiring Regulations. All domestic homes are recommended to arrange an EICR once every ten years to ensure there is no deterioration.
Is an EICR Required To Sell A Property?
There is no legal obligation to provide a buyer with an EICR. However, it can provide them with extra assurance that the property they are purchasing is electrically safe. Moreover, when you are in the process of selling your home, your solicitor may ask you to fill in property information forms referring to the electrical systems within your house. If any of wiring was installed during your time in the property, then you should have an EICR. If you’re doing new developments prior to selling the property, then make sure you have relevant paperwork and checks made before you start the sales process. Trade Facilities Services provide a range of electrical safety certificates such as an EICR which can help your potential buyers make a decision more quickly.
What Does An EICR Inspection Involve?
EICR inspections typically take one to four hours depending on the size of your property and the issues encountered. In some cases, a complete shutdown of all servers and phone lines might be required. You could request for certain parts to be exempt from testing as long as justification is provided. For instance, you may ask cables which are hidden within walls or floors to be left out so that plaster and flooring remain untouched. You will need to agree with an electrician on the percentage of sockets to be assessed. The sample size may increase if any faults occur during the inspection. The EICR will show whether the electrical installation is either in ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ condition. It will include a list of observations and required improvements. You can explore this guide to EICR coding in order to understand the rationale behind inspectors’ decision making about your property.
Selling your home is a challenging but rewarding experience. It is important that you take the time to prepare everything that is required. This will make things easier both for you and potential buyers. Electrical safety is a crucial part of the process and obtaining an EICR will provide peace of mind to everyone involved.
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