Browns Electrical carries out landlord safety checks for rental properties across Cheshire. These checks focus on the fixed wiring and, where needed, any electrical equipment you provide, so that you can meet your legal duty to keep installations safe for tenants. Landlords must have the electrics in their rented homes inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years and provide tenants with a copy of the report.
Landlord safety checks, often documented as an Electrical Installation Condition Report EICR, are formal inspections and tests of the electrical installation in a rented property. The electrician checks wiring, consumer units, sockets, lighting and other fixed equipment to identify defects, deterioration or anything that could put tenants or the property at risk. Where a landlord supplies electrical appliances, these may also be checked to confirm they are safe for continued use.
The report sets out whether the installation is satisfactory and when the next inspection is due. If work is needed, it explains what must be corrected and how urgently, so you can plan remedial work and show your local council or tenants that the issues have been addressed.
We focus on landlord safety checks for private landlords, agents and social housing providers. Before we visit, we agree access arrangements with you or your managing agent so tenants know what will happen and when. On the day, our electricians work methodically through the property, carrying out inspection and testing with as little disruption as possible and making anything dangerous safe before they leave.
We start with a visual inspection of the installation in the rental property. This covers consumer units, wiring routes, sockets, switches, light fittings and any visible connections. We look for damage, signs of overheating, loose accessories, overloading and anything that suggests poor previous work or wear and tear. Many issues can be spotted and dealt with at this stage.
Once the visual checks are complete, we test the fixed wiring using suitable instruments. This typically includes continuity and polarity checks, insulation resistance tests, earth fault loop impedance tests and checks on RCD performance where fitted. Circuits are isolated as needed so tests can be carried out safely. We plan this so that power is restored as soon as possible and key circuits are not off longer than necessary.
After the inspection and testing, we provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report EICR. The report lists observations and uses standard codes to show their severity, such as C1 for danger present, C2 for potentially dangerous, FI for further investigation and C3 for recommended improvements. Alongside the technical detail you receive a clear summary of what needs attention now and what can be planned for later.
If the installation meets the required standards, the report will state that it is satisfactory and confirm the date of the next inspection, which is usually five years from the test date unless a shorter interval is recommended. Where the report is unsatisfactory, we explain the issues and can quote for remedial work. Once the work is complete, we update the documentation so you have evidence for tenants, local councils and insurers.
We specialise in electrical work for landlords and commercial clients, from routine testing and inspections to fault finding and remedial repairs. Our team is used to working in live environments such as offices, warehouses, shops and HMOs, where planning and clear communication are essential.
We help you stay on top of your legal and safety duties with clear reports, certificates and records. Whether it is an inspection, a test programme or follow up work, you receive documentation that is easy to file, share and present to insurers, auditors and regulators.
Time matters when you manage properties or run a business. We plan work around your operation, group tasks sensibly and keep disruption to tenants, staff and customers to a minimum. You get realistic timescales, straightforward pricing and a service that respects your schedule.
Electrical safety is always the priority. We follow recognised standards, use calibrated equipment, and take the time to isolate, test, and verify properly. If we find anything that presents a risk, we explain it clearly and agree on practical next steps before we leave the site.
