So I just had my 5 yearly EICR report done he was friendly enough and done a quick visual inspection and used some gadget to check a plug socket and was out the door in 10 minutes it was quicker than a PAT test. I do feel this whole government EICR is a joke. Looking online for a small flat it should take about 1 hour. This is a small 2 bed house.
2 Likes
@Paul89 if obtained via OR, raise with OR support - @mod_harry may be able to help
doesnt sound like they tested all the circuits, get them to come back and do it properly - they need to do visual inspection, test circuits, record results, issue report
(google âElectrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) NICEICâ and look at the NICEIC website)
If they refuse, dont pay or ask for a refund, check what accreditation /professional qualification they had and raise with NICIEC or whomever they got their quals from
good luck
That is not good. A certain % of sockets and light switches have to be opened up and checked. Smokies if mains have a smoke check . Consumer unit opened up and checked. I have â a gadget to check a plug socketâ that I can read and understand, but that is just for my peace of mind. Does he belong to electricians body/association?
I donât think he tested all circuits or followed the governments ownhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance advice
Thanks, he is showing registered under the NICEIC website so he should know better. I phoned them to complain they want me to complain to him via email which I shall do.
He seems to be running a limited company as he said he also is operating as a sole trader. You canât be both. Itâs just disappointing that OpenRent to verify these traders or allow us to leave reviews. @mod_harry ÂŁ195 for 10 minutes work I am in the wrong line of work!
1 Like
An electrician once told me that a 1 bed flat should take half a day to test.
1 Like
You can have a Limited Company and be a sole trader , but all accounts must be separate. I just had 7 smokies tested and 3 emergency lights elecy used a used a smoke canister and heat gun .Test all cost ÂŁ120. 2 lots of certs, You need to ask around .I had estimates of ÂŁ300 !
I had one done last summer on a 2 bed flat. It was around ÂŁ300 plus ÂŁ150ish for two new smoke detectors which were out of date and a couple power socket face plates. I spent about an hour watching and chatting with the engineer. He tested every circuit from the consumer unit. Checked the meter cupboard etc it took around 3 hours.
1 Like
all the labels on consumer unit must be checked along with certain warning notices. You can buy these yourself at a good electrical wholesaler
hope you havneât paid anything for that. i wouldnât have done. If you have, hopefully you paid by credit card so you can get your money back.
So many complaints about using OR for trades.
hmmm⌠canât think why?
Really shabby. Another reason not to use OR to do anything but advertise.
1 Like
10 mins is way too short. He will have had at least 6 circuits to check. some do the reports on their laptop there and then. needs at least an hour. if this guy gives you a pass and you dont have any other electrical issues and he charged you low, maybe pay and not use him again. complaining to his body will take time. just make sure he is qualified to do this testing
ideally you want a regular electrician doing the work who you can also call out to fix anything too, not just a tester. that way they are invested in the property.
I recently had a tenant who modified the installation unsafely in two areas and when the eicr test was done it was a fail on several things but the tester would not fix the issues so that was a lot of extra work. I suspected some tampering and asked the tester ahead of time to disconnect or fix any faults but he didnt , pity. Its a bit like some gas techs they just want to service a gas boiler but wonât change a tap
1 Like
Always always find your own tradesmen . I have for 40 years. Helps that I am a joiner
1 Like
A very fitting professionâŚ.
1 Like
I have had several contractors ( gas check ect) from open rent. I will not use them again, open rent didnt give a hoot when one didnt do the job right. As one guy said âI have to do 15 a day to make it payâ so 15x50=ÂŁ750 a day, who are these people ?.
1 Like
An EICR isnât a forensic investigation or a full rewire. Itâs a snapshot in time to confirm the installation is safe and to meet the regulations.
In a small 2 bed house with a modern consumer unit and no obvious defects, a competent electrician can legitimately complete an EICR very quickly. Ten minutes on its own doesnât mean it was done improperly.
Landlords arenât paying for an EICR to make a property âperfectâ, but to demonstrate compliance and that a qualified person has inspected and tested the installation. If there were genuine safety issues, they should be flagged â otherwise a clean report is exactly what youâd expect.
Worth remembering that owner-occupiers arenât required to have EICRs at all, and most people never get one unless theyâre selling or doing major works.
Nick 40 are you an electrician?
Paul 89. On the inspection report was his name on it ,or signed by someone else ?
No. If I were an electrician I wouldnât be paying for EICRs 
Well @Paul89 has asked the electricianâs professional body NICEIC who have advised him to complain to the electrician. They wouldnât advise that if they thought 10mins was a reasonable timescale for the job. Iâm not an electrician either but given how protective most professional bodies are of their members Iâd guess 10min really isnât ok.
@Paul89 does property include any mains powered alarms? If so the circuits powering these should have been checked as part of the EICR so if not done get electrician back to do it (and the rest) properly⌠itâs a safety issue you are responsible as LL for making sure itâs been done properly (even if you have no electrical expertise. âŚ)
.Best
1 Like
@Paul89 based on this thread, if booked via IR, complain to OR you may get your money back..
How long it takes to perform EICR test - OpenRent Chat - OpenRent Landlord & Tenant Forum How long it takes to perform EICR test - OpenRent Chat - OpenRent Landlord & Tenant Forum
If the EICR took 10 mins Iâd be demanding a refund and getting a proper
one done
1 Like