EICR SUTTON

Why Electrical Safety Checks Matter

If you live in or let a property in Sutton, you depend heavily on your electrical system.

Over time, the electrical system wears. Cables loosen. Sockets crack. Older fuse boards struggle to keep up.

You can’t see these issues behind walls and under floors. Yet they are one of the main causes of electrical fires and shocks.

A regular EICR picks up those hidden faults. So you can deal with them on your terms, rather than during a stressful emergency.

So what does an EICR actually involve?

What an EICR Covers in Your Property

An EICR is a full test of your fixed wiring. Carried out in accordance with current BS 7671 safety rules.

Visual Check

Your Electrician walks through the property looking for clear risks, such as:

• Cracked or loose sockets
• Scorch marks or signs of overheating
• Missing covers on junction boxes
• Damaged leads or exposed cables

This first check uncovers obvious issues before moving on to deeper tests…

Testing wiring, circuits, and the consumer unit

Next, test equipment is used to check the health of your system, including:

• Circuit checks
• Wire covering tests to see if the wiring insulation is ok
• Right-way-round checks to make sure live and neutral are not reversed
• RCD tests to make sure safety devices trip fast enough during a fault
• The consumer unit (fuse board) should be verified to offer the required level of protection

Your written report & codes are explained.

At the end, you receive a written EICR report.

Each issue is given a clear code:

• C1 – danger present, needs urgent action
• C2 – potentially dangerous, should be fixed promptly
• C3 – improvement advised; the system is safe, but could meet newer rules

If the report contains only C3 items, your installation passes.

If C1 or C2 items appear, the report will be marked as not safe until those issues are addressed.

The next question is who needs an EICR…

Who Needs an Inspection – and How Often?

Landlords

Current rules mean a valid EICR is a legal must for rented properties.

Landlords must:

• Arrange an inspection at least every five years
• Renew the report sooner if there is a change of tenancy
• Provide copies to tenants and, when asked, to the local authority

Skipping an EICR risks fines of up to £40,000 and creates serious problems with insurance if an electrical fault leads to damage or injury.

Build a Complete Tenancy Safety File

The EICR should form part of a wider tenancy safety file rather than being treated as the property’s only inspection record.

Alongside the electrical report, landlords may need Landlord CP12 Certificates in Sutton, remedial-work confirmations, appliance service records and other documents relevant to the tenancy.

Keeping these records together gives landlords and agents a clearer history of the property. It also makes it easier to provide the correct documents to tenants and track when future inspections are due.

Homeowners

If you own and live in your home, there’s no set legal time, but periodic EICRs still make sense.

A report helps to:

• Show the wiring is safe for your family
• Spot issues before they become expensive faults
• Streamline the sale of your house

Homeowners considering our EV charging service can use the inspection findings to identify issues with the Consumer Unit, earthing or circuit capacity before the charger survey and installation take place.

Businesses & HMOs

Shops, offices, and houses in multiple occupation typically have heavier use and more people plugging in appliances and devices.

This means inspections are advised every 3 to 5 years, depending on use and risk.

What Happens on the Day of Your Visit?

On the day of your EICR appointment:

• Arrival: A qualified Electrician will arrive at the agreed time
• Walk-through: You point out the consumer unit, main rooms, and any known problem areas.
• Visual check: Obvious issues are noted.
• Testing: Circuits are tested one at a time. Power will need to go off in short bursts so the tests can be done safely.
• Wrap-up: The Electrician explains what has been found.
• Report issued: Your report follows; keep it for your records or share it with tenants, agents and insurers.

Most inspections take between two and four hours, depending on the size and layout of the property.

Our local team covers Sutton, Carshalton, Cheam, Worcester Park, and nearby areas, so appointments are easy to arrange.

And if your property isn’t perfect, don’t worry…

If Your EICR Shows Problems

Many faults are simple to put right and can often be done the same day:

Your report will list each item with its code and a short description. The Electrician then provides a clear quote for any repair work needed.

The findings give you a practical schedule of what needs attention first. Urgent defects can be separated from recommended improvements, helping you plan the work and control the cost.

Where repairs or upgrades are required, our team can provide help with electrical work. This may involve renewing damaged wiring, correcting circuit faults, adding RCD protection or replacing an outdated Consumer Unit.

Once repairs are complete, we retest the circuits involved and issue an updated EICR.

The certificate shows your electrical system now meets the required rules.

Why Local Owners Choose Novon Group

EICRs are made simple from start to finish with Novon Group. Which is why many Sutton landlords and homeowners choose us:

• Qualified, insured Electricians working to BS 7671 safety rules
• Clear pricing with no hidden extras
• Fast flexible appointments
• Certificates issued the same day
• Local knowledge of typical property types and common wiring issues

With Novon Group, you follow the rules, protect your property, and gain peace of mind the system behind your sockets and switches is being looked after by experts.

To clear up a few common queries…

FAQ

How long does an EICR take?

Most inspections take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the wiring’s size, layout, and shape.

Larger homes will take longer, as each circuit needs a full and detailed check.

Will I lose power during the inspection?

Yes, but in short, planned stages. Circuits are turned off one at a time so the Electrician can test them safely. We plan the test order to keep breaks as short as possible.

How often should I renew my EICR?

Landlords need a new inspection at least every five years or when a new tenancy starts.

Homeowners are generally advised to book one every ten years immediately if there are issues such as burning smells, tripping fuses, or discoloured sockets.

How do I book an inspection?

Get in touch with Novon Group using the phone number or email on this page.

We’ll give you a clear quote, agree on a date which suits you, and send a qualified Electrician to carry out your inspection and issue your EICR certificate.

Contact Us

Ready to make sure your property is safe, legal, and ready for tenants or buyers? Book your EICR today. Please use the phone number or email below.