Electrical Installation certificate - when does this need to be done?

littlemiss19

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of selling my flat which is more than 100 years old. Part of the solicitors questionnaire asks for an electrical installation certificate. I have done a little research on this and my understanding is that one needs to be done every 5 years and this ruling came into force in April 2020 for existing tenants (who have moved out). 
So, considering we are well within the 5 years since the ruling came into force, do I need to get one or can the new owner get one? 

Many thanks,

Little miss

AdrianC

The solicitors can ask for one. There is no legal requirement for one at the time of sale. The legal requirements apply to tenanted properties, which yours is not.

It's April next year, 2021, for existing tenancies, btw.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector#which-rented-properties-do-the-electrical-safety-regulations-apply-to

Let's say you reply...
"No, there isn't one, and I won't get one done, but you're welcome to have access to get one done yourselves if you so wish"
...that may satisfy them, or they may decide to walk away. It seems to me that £150 or so is a very small cost for easing the sale, assuming there are no issues.

AskAsk

if you are selling then there is no requirement for you to get EICR.  it only applies to landlords at the moment.

littlemiss19

AskAsk said:

if you are selling then there is no requirement for you to get EICR.  it only applies to landlords at the moment.

Thanks AskAsk, the flat was previously rented out but tenants moved out yesterday. 

Carrot007

AdrianC said:

...that may satisfy them, or they may decide to walk away. It seems to me that £150 or so is a very small cost for easing the sale, assuming there are no issues.

If it does not satisfy them (maybe worded a bit politer) then they are a nightmare buyer and best got rid of anyway.

AskAsk

littlemiss19 said:

AskAsk said:

if you are selling then there is no requirement for you to get EICR.  it only applies to landlords at the moment.

Thanks AskAsk, the flat was previously rented out but tenants moved out yesterday. 

you only have to get EICR report if you plan to rent it out again.  there is no requirement for people selling their flat to have EICR.  we sold a rental last month and we didn't get EICR.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC said:

...that may satisfy them, or they may decide to walk away. It seems to me that £150 or so is a very small cost for easing the sale, assuming there are no issues.

Could potentially be a can of worms though?   Because this new EICR test requires that the wiring meets the 2018 standards - BS 7671 - 18th Edition The IET Wiring Regulations.  So maybe it would all need to be rewired.   

But yes as you say it's not required by law in this situation, it's a private issue between OP and the potential buyer.

macman

No EICR needed, as you are selling the property with vacant possession. If the buyer wants to rent it, he can arrange for one to be done. Nothing to do with you.

AdrianC

Poster_586329 said:

AdrianC said:

...that may satisfy them, or they may decide to walk away. It seems to me that £150 or so is a very small cost for easing the sale, assuming there are no issues.

Could potentially be a can of worms though?   Because this new EICR test requires that the wiring meets the 2018 standards - BS 7671 - 18th Edition The IET Wiring Regulations.  So maybe it would all need to be rewired.   

No, it does not require the property to meet the 18th.

It will flag things that don't meet the 18th - but it will flag them as C3. That isn't a "fail".
C1 and C2 are fails.

If you think about it like an MOT on your car, think of C1 as a "DANGEROUS" fail, C2 as a fail, C3 as an advisory.

littlemiss19

Thanks everyone for your clarification.

dimbo61

What condition are the electrics ?
As others have said you could offer the buyers the chance to bring in there own electrican to carry out an EICR which  will confirm the current condition of the electrics in the property.
This is also a requirement if they want to rent out the property.