For landlords with properties anywhere from Chatham to Canterbury, ensuring the safety of tenants is not just a moral obligation—it’s a critical legal requirement. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have set strict rules, and at the heart of these is the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

If you’re a landlord in Kent, understanding your EICR obligations is crucial to protecting your tenants, your property, and avoiding hefty fines.

What Exactly is an EICR?

An EICR is a formal document produced after a comprehensive assessment of the electrical systems within a property. Think of it as an MOT for your wiring. A qualified and NICEIC registered electrician carries out inspections and tests to ensure everything is safe, compliant with the latest BS 7671 standards, and not at risk of causing electric shocks or fires.

Why is an EICR a Legal Requirement for Landlords?

The 2020 regulations mandate that all private landlords in England must:

• Ensure electrical safety standards are met throughout the tenancy.
• Have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years.
• Obtain an EICR and provide a copy to new and existing tenants.
• Complete any necessary remedial work identified in the report within 28 days.

Local authorities can demand to see the certificate, and failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000.

What Does a Medway EICR Inspection Involve?

During an inspection at your Medway or Kent property, our electricians will check for:

• Potential fire hazards or electric shock risks.
• Any defective or poor-quality electrical work.
• A lack of proper earthing or bonding.
• The condition of the fuse box (consumer unit), wiring, and accessories.

The report will classify any identified issues, and the most serious (C1 or C2) must be fixed urgently.

Questions & Answers for Kent Landlords

Q: How long is my EICR valid for?
A: An EICR for a rental property is valid for five years from the date of issue.

Q: What happens if my report is ‘Unsatisfactory’?
A: You have 28 days to have a qualified electrician carry out the necessary repairs to make the installation safe.

Protect your tenants and your investment. If your rental property in Kent is due for an electrical inspection, contact Service Pro Ltd today to book a comprehensive EICR.

Tucked away in a cupboard or under the stairs, the fuse box (now known as a consumer unit) is the control centre of your home’s electrical system. It’s designed to protect you from electric shocks and prevent electrical fires. But if your fuse box is old or outdated, it might not be providing the protection you need.

Many homes in Kent still have older models that don’t meet modern safety standards. Here are five key signs that it’s time to consider an upgrade.

1. It Has a Wooden Back or Cast-Iron Switches

If your fuse box has a wooden back, is made of cast iron, or contains large ceramic fuses, it is decades old and needs replacing immediately. These units offer very poor protection and are considered a significant fire risk by today’s standards.

2. Fuses Keep Blowing or Tripping

Do you find yourself frequently replacing fuse wire or resetting a circuit breaker? This is often a sign that a circuit is overloaded. Modern life involves more high-powered appliances than ever before, and older fuse boxes were simply not designed to handle that load. Constant tripping is a clear warning sign.

3. It Lacks RCD Protection

A Residual Current Device (RCD) is a life-saving feature that is mandatory in all modern consumer units. It provides an extra layer of protection by instantly cutting the power if a fault is detected, such as cutting through a cable or touching a faulty appliance. This protection is crucial for preventing serious electric shock. If your fuse box doesn’t have an RCD (usually identifiable by a “T” or “Test” button), it’s outdated and unsafe.

4. You Can Hear Crackling Sounds or Smell Burning

Any unusual sounds like buzzing or crackling, or a faint smell of burning plastic coming from your consumer unit, require immediate attention. These are signs of loose connections or overheating components, which are serious fire hazards. If you notice this, call a registered electrician straight away.

5. You’re Planning Home Renovations

If you’re planning a major renovation, such as a new kitchen or an extension, you will almost certainly need a consumer unit upgrade. New electrical circuits, especially for high-power items like electric showers or ovens, must be protected by a modern 18th Edition standard consumer unit to comply with building regulations.

Upgrade for Safety and Peace of Mind

Upgrading your consumer unit is one of the most important investments you can make in your home’s safety. A modern unit significantly reduces the risk of electric shock and fire, giving you and your family complete peace of mind.

Concerned about your fuse box? Contact Service Pro Ltd today for a professional electrical health check and a no-obligation quote for a consumer unit upgrade.

With countless online tutorials available, it can be tempting to tackle home improvement jobs yourself to save money. While hanging a picture or painting a wall are great DIY projects, electrical work is one area where you should never cut corners. What seems like a simple fix can lead to devastating consequences if not done correctly.

Before you try to replace that light fitting or install a new socket, here’s why you should always call a qualified electrician.

The Risk of Electric Shock and Fire

The most immediate danger of DIY electrical work is severe electric shock, which can be fatal. Even if you avoid injury during the job, faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of domestic fires in the UK. A loose connection, an incorrect fuse rating, or a damaged cable can overheat and ignite, putting your home and your family at risk.

It’s More Complicated Than It Looks

Modern electrical systems are complex. A qualified electrician has years of training to understand wiring regulations (BS 7671), circuit loads, and safety protocols. They know how to correctly test their work to ensure it’s safe. An amateur is likely to miss crucial details that could lead to major problems down the line.

You Could Invalidate Your Home Insurance

Most home insurance policies have clauses that require any electrical work to be carried out by a certified professional. If a fire or other incident is traced back to DIY electrical work, your insurer could refuse to pay out, leaving you with a huge bill for repairs and damages.

Legal and Certification Requirements

Certain types of electrical work, particularly anything involving a new circuit or changes to a consumer unit, are notifiable to your local authority under Part P of the Building Regulations. This work must be certified to prove it meets safety standards. A registered electrician, like the team at Service Pro Ltd, can certify their own work and handle the legal notifications for you. Without this certification, you may have issues when it comes to selling your property.

When to Call a Professional

While changing a lightbulb is fine, you should always call a qualified, NICEIC registered electrician for jobs like:

• Installing new sockets or light fittings.
• Replacing a fuse box (consumer unit).
• Any electrical work in a kitchen or bathroom.
• Installing an EV charger or electric shower.
• Rewiring any part of your home.

Don’t take a chance with your safety. For any electrical work in Kent, trust the experts. Contact Service Pro Ltd for a safe, certified, and professional service.

The switch to electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating across the UK, and Kent is no exception. If you’re considering buying an EV, one of the most important factors is home charging. Having a dedicated charger installed at your property in Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, or anywhere in Kent is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your car topped up.

Why Do I Need a Dedicated Home Charger?

While you can technically charge an EV from a standard 3-pin plug socket, it’s incredibly slow (taking over 24 hours for a full charge) and not recommended for regular use as it puts a continuous strain on the circuit. A dedicated home charger is:

• Faster: A typical 7kW home charger can fully charge most EVs overnight.
• Safer: Professionally installed chargers are on their own dedicated, RCD-protected circuit, eliminating the risk of overloading your home’s wiring.
• Smarter: Many modern chargers come with smart features, allowing you to schedule charging for off-peak electricity times to save money.

What’s Involved in the Installation Process?

When you choose a qualified installer like Service Pro Ltd, the process is straightforward:

1. Initial Survey: We assess your property’s existing electrical system, including your consumer unit and supply type, to ensure it can handle the extra load.
2. Choosing a Charger: We help you select the right charger for your vehicle and needs, from trusted brands.
3. Professional Installation: Our certified electricians will run a dedicated cable from your consumer unit to the desired charger location, installing all necessary safety devices.
4. Testing and Certification: We fully test the installation and provide you with all the necessary electrical safety certificates.

FAQs about EV Charger Installation

Q: Can any electrician install an EV charger?
A: No. It’s a specialist job that requires an electrician with specific training and qualifications in EV charger installation to ensure it’s done safely and complies with all regulations.

Q: My house is in a rural part of Kent. Is that a problem?
A: Not at all. We cover all of Kent, from busy towns like Maidstone to more rural locations. We will assess your electrical supply as part of our survey.

Ready to make the switch to electric? Contact Service Pro Ltd today for expert advice and a free quote for your home EV charger installation.