All You Need to Know About Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate A domestic electrical installation certificate is issued by electricians to confirm that the electrical installations in a residential property are built according to BS 7671 or IEE Wiring Regulations. Before the certificate is issued, the inspector conducts tests in the property. A domestic electrical installation certificate is like any electrical installation certificate used for new construction and additional installations with new circuits. But unlike the regular electrical installation certificate for commercial properties, this one requires simpler and inspection procedures. Every landlord or homebuyer must secure a domestic electrical installation certificate when: •
Buying or moving to a new home. You must ask the seller of the home to present this certificate before you decide to buy the property. Alternatively, you can hire an electrician to perform an inspection before you purchase and move into the residence. That way, you'll have peace of mind that all the electrical installation is safe to use.
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Selling a home. In the same way, you need this certificate when selling your property as proof that it is safe to live in.
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Renting out an HMO property. A domestic electrical installation certificate serves as evidence that you are doing your legal obligations as the landlord. Without this, your tenants may sue you for non-compliance. Having this certificate can also help you attract tenants. You must keep the original certificate for you will need to show this to the authorities as necessary, as well as to insurance providers and electricians who will undertaking your property's electrical installation projects in the future. Note that you may also need to secure an Electrical Installation Condition Report or EICR in case your property has been existing for more than 10 years. As you know, the electrical systems of some domestic or HMO properties must be inspected and evaluated to see if they are still working properly. This time, the electrician will pay more attention to any signs of deterioration and defects. Only a registered and licensed contractor or conforming body is allowed to perform inspections and issue a domestic electrical installation certificate. So, when hiring an electrician, make sure that he or she is authorised by the NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT.