HMO Landlord EICR in Chatham, Kent

HMOs in Chatham are typically inspected on the same five-year EICR cycle as standard rented property, but with the HMO licence from Medway Council specifying it as a licence condition rather than just the PRS regulations. Practical difference: the council follows up on missing certificates more actively, and the inspection scope often includes verification of fire alarm interface circuits and emergency lighting.

What an EICR involves for HMO

Inspection covers the consumer unit (plural in larger HMOs), accessible accessories on every floor and in every let bedroom, shared circuits in common parts, and the supply / earthing arrangements. Testing covers every circuit individually for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD operation. For HMOs with hardwired fire alarm or emergency lighting, those circuits are verified for correct supply and protection as part of the EICR even though the alarm/EM lighting maintenance regime is separate.

When you need this in Chatham

Common HMO EICR triggers in Chatham: - Five-yearly cycle on existing licence — certificate approaching expiry - HMO licence renewal — Medway Council asks for current evidence - New HMO conversion — initial EICR on the converted installation - Change of licence holder — incoming landlord audits the compliance file - Tenant turnover with single bedroom voids — opportunistic re-inspection - Medway Council property audit triggered by a tenant complaint - Major works completed (boiler, kitchen, additional bedroom)

What the report contains

HMO EICR reports are issued in the standard three-part PDF format — EICR form, schedule of inspection, schedule of test results — with the inspection scope typically broader than a single-let EICR. Where Medway Council has specified additional verification items as part of the licence, those sit either in the schedule of inspection or in a short addendum to the report. Unsatisfactory HMO EICRs need remedying within the standard 28 days under the regulations, but in practice the licence implications usually drive a faster response.

Why book CJA Electrical for your Chatham EICR

For HMO compliance, the right inspector knows what extra to look at. Shared kitchen circuits with multiple high-load appliances on the same ring main. Fire detection circuits hardwired through a panel. Emergency lighting feeds. Multiple consumer units in larger conversions. Ten years on Medway domestic and HMO property means we’ve seen the patterns and don’t need everything explained from scratch.

How the inspection runs

1. Initial conversation — property type, room count, licence status, access 2. Same-day fixed quote 3. Booking arranged with the landlord, managing agent, or directly with tenants 4. Inspection visit — usually a single day for typical-size HMOs 5. Report PDF supplied within 48 hours, in the format Medway Council accepts 6. Remedials quoted alongside any unsatisfactory findings; expedited where licence renewal is pressing

What affects the price

Pricing for HMO work is per property. The main variables: number of let bedrooms, number of consumer units, scope of fire alarm verification, and accessibility. Larger HMOs with multiple boards take longer than a standard three-bed semi. Get in touch with the property details and the fixed quote comes back the same day.

FAQs

Do you work with HMO managing agents on portfolio compliance?

Yes — and we’d usually prefer to. Single point of contact, batched inspection visits across a portfolio, consistent reporting format, and remedial-work quoting alongside any unsatisfactory reports. See the letting agency page for the full portfolio framework approach.

Does my HMO licence with Medway Council require an EICR?

Yes — almost always. Medway Council typically lists a current satisfactory EICR as a standard condition of the HMO licence, with renewal cycle aligned to the licence renewal cycle. Specific requirements vary by licence type (mandatory, additional, or selective licensing) but a satisfactory EICR is a near-universal expectation. The council will ask to see it on licence renewal and on inspection.

What extra checks apply to HMOs vs single-lets?

The standard EICR scope applies to both, but HMO inspections typically take longer because shared circuits carry higher fault loading and multiple consumer units are common. Where the property has hardwired fire detection or emergency lighting (most HMOs over a certain size do), those circuit feeds are verified as part of the EICR even though the alarm/lighting maintenance regime is separate.

How long does an EICR take on a 6-bed HMO?

Larger than a standard three-bed home — typically a long day or split across two visits depending on tenant access and the consumer unit configuration. Power off briefly on each circuit during testing, with most circuits restored quickly. The report PDF follows within 48 hours of the final inspection visit, regardless of how many days the inspection took.

Do you need to access every let bedroom?

Yes. Each let bedroom contains accessories — sockets, switches, sometimes light fittings on dedicated circuits — that need visual inspection. We coordinate access through the landlord, managing agent, or directly with each tenant. Where one or two bedrooms are inaccessible on the day, those are noted in the schedule of inspection and we’ll arrange a follow-up visit if needed.