Landlord EICR in Rochester

Landlord EICRs in Rochester are handled out of our Rochester workshop, covering all of Medway and the surrounding villages. Since June 2020 every privately rented property in England has needed a satisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report at least every five years, with reports issued in a format that Medway Council accepts on request. Same-week appointments are typical and the written PDF lands with you within 48 hours of the test.

What an EICR involves for Landlord

A landlord EICR is the formal evidence that the fixed wiring in your rented Rochester property meets BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, Amendment 2. The inspection is part visual and part instrumented. We open up the consumer unit, examine accessories on every floor, walk the supply route, and check earthing and bonding. Then we test every circuit — dead testing for continuity, insulation resistance, and polarity, then live testing for earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation. The output is a written report with observation codes against any findings: C1 for danger present, C2 for potentially dangerous, C3 for improvement recommended, and FI where further investigation is needed. A satisfactory report has no C1, C2, or FI observations.

When you need this in Rochester

There’s no point waiting for Medway Council to ask before booking — the paperwork is much easier when the certificate is sitting on file before anyone requests it. Common reasons Rochester 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 Medway 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 Rochester EICR

The pitch is straightforward: ten years on Medway 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 Rochester, 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 Medway Council won’t push back on.

How the inspection runs

The standard process for a landlord EICR in Rochester: Initial conversation by phone, WhatsApp, or email — confirm the address, property size, and access arrangements. Quote returned the same day. Tenant access agreed through the letting agent or directly with the tenant. On-site inspection in a single visit, with power off only briefly on each circuit while it’s tested. Written PDF report within 48 hours. Remedial work, if needed, quoted separately and re-tested on completion. Most three-bed homes are tested in a single morning or afternoon.

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. Rochester 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 Rochester?

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 Rochester 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 Medway Council fine me for not having an EICR?

Yes. Under the 2020 regulations, Medway 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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.