Umair Gaines
A 5-year electrical test is a safety check that involves a thorough inspection of a property's electrical installation system, including the fuse box, circuits, wiring, switches, sockets, and lighting. It is designed to identify any damage, wear and tear, or potential faults that could lead to electric shocks, fires, or other safety incidents. While it is not a legal requirement for commercial properties, it is highly recommended for rental properties and is a legal obligation for rented homes in the UK. The test typically takes up to 2.5 hours, depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits, and it is recommended that most buildings be checked every five years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of properties | Rental properties, commercial buildings like offices, shops, schools, warehouses, and industrial sites |
| Legal requirement | Not mandatory for commercial properties. Mandatory for rental properties in the UK, except for social housing, student halls of residence, hostels, and refuges. |
| Testing interval | Every 5 years |
| Tested items | Fixed electrical equipment, wiring, fuse boxes, light switches, sockets, circuits, lighting, consumer unit, cables, safety devices/trip switches, MCB's/RCBO's |
| Not tested items | Portable electrical appliances like laptops, televisions, and kettles |
| Testing personnel | Qualified, competent, and experienced electricians |
| Testing duration | Up to 2.5 hours depending on the property size and number of circuits |
| Electricity during testing | Switched off for part of the test |
| Post-testing report | Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or Electrical Condition Report (ECR) |
| Report contents | Property and tester details, limitations, results (satisfactory/unsatisfactory), issues identified, installation design, age, and condition |
| Report action items | Remedial actions for unsatisfactory results, with priority based on risk level |
| Report storage | Keep safe for future reference, insurance, or regulatory checks |
| Report access | Available digitally for customers with online accounts |
| Re-testing | May be required for remedial works |
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What You'll Learn
Who requires a 5-year electrical test?
In the UK, landlords are required by law to perform an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every five years. This is a safety check on a property's complete electrical installation system, including the fuse box, circuits, wiring, switches, sockets, and lighting. The purpose of this testing is to identify any damage, wear and tear, or potential faults that could lead to electric shocks, fires, or other safety incidents.
While it is not a legal requirement for commercial buildings such as offices, shops, and warehouses, it is strongly advised to guarantee the safety of staff and customers. Rental properties must be tested every five years to meet UK legal requirements, and commercial and industrial sites may need more frequent testing.
Electrical testing intervals vary depending on the type of building. They typically need to be carried out between every one and ten years, with most buildings recommended to be checked every five years. For example, rented homes should be inspected every five years, while owner-occupied homes should be inspected every ten years.
It is important to note that portable appliances like kettles, TVs, and laptops do not form part of the fixed installation and are not included in the 5-year testing. These can be checked separately through PAT testing services if required.
Visual checks should also be performed regularly and can be done by the property owner without needing to wait for a qualified professional to perform a periodic electrical test. These checks involve looking for any potential faults or risk factors with electrical installations, such as the risk of overheating, overloading, or other fire hazards in the wiring, plug sockets, light fittings, fuse boxes, and permanently connected equipment.
After a 5-year electrical test is completed, the property owner will receive a detailed report summarising the safety of their electrics and any necessary remedial actions. This report is important for insurance or regulatory checks and may be requested as evidence that the testing has taken place.
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What does the test involve?
A 5-year electrical test is a safety check performed on a property's complete electrical installation system. The test is carried out by a qualified electrician to ensure the safety of the property and its residents or tenants. It is a legal requirement for rented properties in the UK and recommended for commercial buildings. The test involves a detailed visual inspection of the property's electrical installation, including the fuse box, circuits, wiring, switches, sockets, and lighting.
During the visual inspection, the electrician checks for any obvious warning signs such as damaged cables, overloaded circuits, loose connections, or any other potential faults or risk factors. This includes checking for the potential risk of overheating, overloading, or other fire hazards in the wiring, plug sockets, light fittings, fuse boxes, and permanently connected equipment such as electric boilers. They also inspect the property's residual current device (RCD), which is important for ensuring safety, particularly between gardens and bathrooms.
After the visual inspection, electrical safety tests are conducted on the fixed wiring and integral electrics. These tests include continuity testing to confirm correct earthing and bonding, RCD protection; insulation resistance testing to detect any insulation damage that could allow current leakage; polarity checks to verify that live and neutral connections are wired to the right terminals; earth fault-loop impedance to measure the risk of electric shock from earth faults; and load testing to ensure circuits will not overload during normal operation.
Once the inspection and testing are completed, the electrician provides a detailed report, known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or a landlord electrical safety certificate for rented properties. This report summarises the safety of the electrics and includes details about the installation's design, age, and condition. It also contains any limitations or issues identified during the inspection. The report is important for insurance and regulatory purposes and should be kept safe.
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How much does it cost?
The cost of a five-year electrical test depends on several factors, including the size, age, location, and accessibility of the property. Most electricians charge a flat fee for inspections, while others charge by the hour. According to Angi, a standard electrical safety inspection costs between $75 to $500, with most people paying between $100 and $400. More specifically, HomeGuide states that a standard inspection costs $100 to $200 on average.
In the UK, electrical testing intervals can vary from one to ten years, with rental properties and commercial buildings like schools, offices, and shops typically requiring testing every five years. During a five-year electrical test, the electrical installation in the property is inspected, including all fixed electrical equipment supplied through the electricity meter. Electrical equipment and appliances like laptops, televisions, and kettles are not tested during a five-year electrical test.
When scheduling an inspection, it is important to disclose factors such as the home's age, size, and location to get a more accurate cost estimate. It is also recommended to obtain multiple quotes and compare flat rates and hourly rates, especially for larger or older homes. Electrical safety inspection costs are typically higher in rural areas, and some electricians may charge a travel fee based on mileage.
It is worth noting that electrical inspections are important not only when buying a new home but also for maintaining the safety of your current residence. They can help identify problems like faulty wiring and hotspots that may be hidden within walls.
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What happens if the test is failed?
A failed electrical inspection indicates that the electrical installation poses a risk and requires urgent attention. By law, all faults must be fixed within 28 days by qualified electricians. If your property is vacant, all identified faults must be fixed before new tenants move in.
If your electrics are deemed unsatisfactory, your electrician is obliged to provide remedial actions that must be undertaken. The highest priority C1 defects present a risk of injury and must be fixed immediately. Lower-priority improvements may have longer timescales.
Once repairs are complete, a full electrical reinspection is not immediately required. Written confirmation from the electrician is considered adequate evidence that any unsound electrics have been fixed. However, it is strongly advised to schedule a fresh inspection within the next year or two for peace of mind. Regular reinspections every 5 years (domestic) or 3 years (rentals) remain best practice for proactively monitoring your electrics.
It is important to keep copies of Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) safe for insurance or regulatory checks in the future.
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What is PAT testing?
Portable appliance testing (PAT) is a process of checking electrical appliances for safety through visual inspections and electronic tests. It is a good way for landlords to ensure that they are meeting their legal obligations to maintain high standards of electrical safety in their rented properties. PAT testing is also important for employers, who are required by law to provide a safe and secure work environment for their employees.
PAT testing involves a competent person carrying out a visual inspection of the appliance, its plug, and its lead. For Class I equipment, test signals are also injected into the cable and appliance to ensure their integrity. The competent person will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions, and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger.
The gap between each PAT test usually varies depending on the environment in which the appliance is used and the type of appliance itself. For instance, handheld appliances are more susceptible to damage due to misuse or improper handling and are likely to fail much earlier. That's why it's important to follow specific guidelines for using portable appliances. PAT starts with a conventional user check, often with a professional using a brief checklist.
PAT testing is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, electrical safety standards must be met, and electrical installations in rented properties must be inspected and tested at intervals of no longer than every 5 years.
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Frequently asked questions
A 5-year electrical test is a safety check performed on a property's complete electrical installation system, including the fuse box, circuits, wiring, switches, sockets, and lighting.
For rental properties in the UK, a 5-year electrical test is a legal requirement. Commercial properties are not legally required to undergo this test, but it is strongly recommended for offices, shops, and warehouses to ensure staff and customer safety.
A qualified electrician will perform a detailed visual inspection of the electrics, checking for warning signs like damaged cables, overloaded circuits, or loose connections. They will also assess the condition of switches, sockets, fuse boxes, and light fittings. Electrical safety tests are then conducted to evaluate earthing, insulation resistance, polarity, and more.
After the test, you will receive an electrical certificate detailing the property, who conducted the checks, any limitations or issues found, and whether the results were satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If issues are identified, your electrician is obliged to provide remedial actions with associated timescales.
