EICR for Landlords in Bearsted, Kent

If you let property in Bearsted, the 2020 PRS regulations apply to you — five-yearly EICR, fresh inspection at the start of any new tenancy, copy to existing tenants within 28 days, and a copy to Maidstone Borough Council within seven days of any request. CJA Electrical works with private landlords and letting agents across Maidstone on landlord EICRs and the remedial work that sometimes follows.

What an EICR involves for Landlord

Technically a landlord EICR is identical to any domestic EICR — what differs is what the audit trail has to support. The inspection and testing follows BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, with a thorough visual check of the consumer unit, accessible accessories, and visible wiring, followed by dead and live testing of every circuit. The deliverable is the EICR form, a schedule of inspection (what was checked, what couldn’t be), and a schedule of test results (numbers per circuit). All three are needed for the certificate to satisfy Maidstone Borough Council or a tenant request.

When you need this in Bearsted

The 2020 regulations are the headline trigger but not the only one. Most Bearsted landlords we work with book an EICR for one of these reasons: - The previous certificate is approaching its five-year expiry - A new tenant is moving in and you need a current report before they take occupation - The property has changed hands and the previous owner’s certificate hasn’t transferred cleanly - Maidstone Borough Council has written asking for a copy and you don’t have one on file - A tenant has reported flickering lights, repeated tripping, or a warm socket - You’re moving from a rolling AST to a new fixed-term tenancy and want a clean compliance footprint

What the report contains

The certificate that satisfies Maidstone Borough Council is a three-part document: the EICR form with the observation codes and overall outcome; the schedule of inspection documenting what was looked at; and the schedule of test results with per-circuit numbers. Reports issued without all three parts often get pushback at the council compliance end. If the report is unsatisfactory, the regulations require remedial works to be completed within 28 days of the inspection. Once they’re done, the re-test confirms the fix and a fresh satisfactory report is issued.

Why book CJA Electrical for your Bearsted EICR

Three reasons most often. The work is done by a City & Guilds 2391 qualified inspector with ten years of working on Maidstone property — the kinds of stock Bearsted landlords actually own. Older property makes for more thoughtful inspections, not faster ones. The turnaround is reliable. Same-week appointments for Bearsted, written PDF back within 48 hours, remedial work — when needed — quoted clearly so you can decide whether to instruct. The format is one your agent, your council, and the Private Rented Sector Database all accept. No pushback at the compliance end.

How the inspection runs

Booking flow: Phone call or WhatsApp triage — what kind of property, how many circuits, who has the keys. Quote out the same day. Confirmed appointment with the tenant or agent. Visit on the day. Report in the inbox within 48 hours. Remedials, if any are needed, quoted clearly with the option to decline. From first call to certificate in your inbox is typically four working days. Tighter is possible when the void week or the council deadline demands it.

What affects the price

We don’t publish a price list because the variables genuinely matter — circuit count, consumer unit type, accessibility, and the property’s age all shift the quote. Bearsted stock varies, so a small terrace and a four-bed semi in the same postcode can be quite different jobs. Same-day fixed quote, no deposit on standard work, payment on certificate by card, transfer, or cash.

FAQs

How often do I need an EICR on my rental in Bearsted?

Every five years, and at the start of any new tenancy — whichever comes first. The clock runs from the date of the most recent satisfactory report. If you’ve bought a Bearsted rental in the last few years and the previous owner’s report is still in date, that report transfers with the property and you don’t need a new one until expiry.

Can Maidstone Borough Council fine me for not having an EICR?

Yes. Under the 2020 regulations, Maidstone Borough Council can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach for non-compliance, and serve a remedial notice forcing you to bring the installation up to standard within a defined period. The council can also request a copy of the certificate and must receive it within seven days of the request.

What does a C2 code mean and do I have to fix it?

C2 means potentially dangerous. The defect isn’t an immediate threat but it’s unsafe over the medium term — for example, a loose connection that could overheat, or earthing that doesn’t meet current standards. A C2 makes the report unsatisfactory, and the regulations require remedial work within 28 days of the inspection. Once it’s done, a re-test confirms the fix.

Do I need a new EICR between tenancies if the last one is in date?

You need to provide the new tenant with a copy of the current satisfactory report before they move in. You don’t need a fresh inspection if the existing certificate is still in its five-year window and the property hasn’t been altered since. If there’s been remedial work, a new circuit added, or a consumer unit swap, a fresh report is the safer answer.

How quickly do my Bearsted tenants need a copy of the report?

Existing tenants receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection. New tenants receive the report before they take occupation of the property. We can email the PDF direct to your tenant or to your letting agent for onward distribution.

Will the EICR cause much disruption for my tenant?

Less than people often expect. Most three-bed homes are tested in a morning or an afternoon. Power is off only briefly on each circuit in turn rather than for the whole visit, so a tenant working from home can usually carry on with most of their day. We confirm a slot in advance and give the tenant a clear picture of what to expect.

What happens if my Bearsted rental fails the EICR?

A failed EICR isn’t a disaster — it just means there’s at least one C1, C2, or FI observation. The report lists each item with its code. CJA Electrical can quote separately for the remedial work, and once it’s done a re-test confirms the installation is satisfactory and a fresh report is issued. The regulations require this within 28 days of the inspection.