A rental property should be electrically tested every 5 years since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 April 2020. It applies tall new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing tenancies in England as of 1 April 2021. If a rental property has a valid EICR, it will not need to be tested until the existing report expires or becomes 5 years old.
The electrician will test and inspect the fixed electrical installations in the property. For example, the wiring, light fittings, electrical showers, plug sockets and fuse boxes. If there are immediate hazards the electrician will make these safe before leaving the property. The electrician will not check the safety of movable appliances unless requested by the landlord to complete a portable appliance test (PAT).
The electrician will provide the landlord with an electrical installation condition report (EICR) and the landlord must provide the tenant a copy within 4 weeks of the inspection. The report will either confirm the safety standards for installations have been complied with or there is further investigation or repair working pending. It will also give details of the next electrical safety check.