EICR for Landlords in Dover, Kent

If you let property in Dover, 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 Dover District Council within seven days of any request. CJA Electrical works with private landlords and letting agents across Dover 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 Dover District Council or a tenant request.

When you need this in Dover

There’s no point waiting for Dover District Council to ask before booking — the paperwork is much easier when the certificate is sitting on file before anyone requests it. Common reasons Dover landlords get in touch: A new tenancy is starting. The existing certificate is approaching expiry. A tenant has flagged something electrical (repeated trips, an unusual smell at a socket, lights that flicker). The property’s just been bought at auction or via probate and the paperwork is incomplete. The letting agent has changed and is auditing what’s missing across the portfolio.

What the report contains

The certificate that satisfies Dover District 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 Dover EICR

The pitch is straightforward: ten years on Dover domestic property, City & Guilds 2391 qualified inspector for the testing, and a written report in the standard EICR format. Same-week appointments are typical for Dover, the PDF comes back within 48 hours of the visit, and remedial work is quoted separately so you can decide whether to instruct. Fully insured (£1m public and product liability), and the report is one Dover District Council won’t push back on.

How the inspection runs

The booking is built to minimise tenant disruption. 1. Phone, WhatsApp, or email with the property address and circuit count 2. Same-day quote with appointment options 3. Tenant access arranged via your letting agent or directly with the tenant 4. On-site inspection and testing — power off briefly on each circuit in turn 5. Written report (PDF) supplied within 48 hours, sent direct to you and to your agent 6. If unsatisfactory, remedial work quoted separately; re-test included once complete Most Dover landlord EICRs are wrapped up well inside the five-day window of a typical void-week schedule.

What affects the price

Pricing is per property. The variables that move the number: how many circuits, consumer unit age and type, how easy the consumer unit and meter are to access, and the overall age of the wiring. Larger Dover properties or those with multiple consumer units take longer; smaller flats are quicker. Get in touch with the property details and the quote comes back the same day.

FAQs

What happens if my Dover 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.

Do I have to use the same electrician for the EICR and any remedial work?

No. The 2020 regulations require the remedial work to be done by a qualified and competent person and confirmed in writing — but they don’t require the same electrician. Most landlords have the original inspector do the remedials for the simpler audit trail and faster re-test, but you’re free to instruct anyone qualified.

Can I do remedial work myself if I’m a competent person?

If you hold the relevant qualifications and the work falls within your competence, technically yes. The 2020 regulations require written confirmation of the remedial work from a qualified and competent person, which can be the landlord if appropriately qualified. Most landlords have us do it for the speed and audit trail.

Does the report need to be in a specific format?

The 2020 regulations don’t mandate a single format, but the standard EICR form is universally accepted by councils, letting agents, the Private Rented Sector Database, and insurers. Reports issued in non-standard formats can lead to pushback from Dover District Council or your agent — so the standard form is what we use.

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

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 Dover 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 Dover District Council fine me for not having an EICR?

Yes. Under the 2020 regulations, Dover District 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.