Unit 6 Cobham Business Centre, Cobham Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7BX
Mon–Fri 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
5.0
★★★★★
on Google Reviews
We've been carrying out electrical work across Dorset for over 20 years. In that time, we've seen the same EICR mistakes repeated by landlords in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Ferndown, and Ringwood. Most of these errors are avoidable.
EICR compliance isn't optional. The regulations are clear, and BCP Council and Dorset Council are actively enforcing them. Electrical faults cause around 14,000 house fires annually in the UK. Getting your EICR right protects your tenants and keeps you compliant.
Here are the seven most common mistakes landlords make with EICRs in Dorset, and what you need to do to fix them.
Many landlords don't track when their last EICR was issued. The regulations require an inspection and test by a qualified electrician every five years. Missing this deadline puts you in breach immediately.
Mark your next inspection date as soon as you receive your current certificate. Set calendar reminders at least three months before the deadline. Our team schedules inspections across Dorset year-round: book early to secure your preferred date.
If you've already missed the deadline, arrange an inspection now. Delaying further increases your exposure to fines and puts your tenants at risk.
You've had the EICR done. The electrician's completed the work. Then the certificate sits in your files for weeks while you handle other property matters.
The law requires you to provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of receiving it. For new tenancies, tenants must receive it before they move in. This isn't advisory: it's mandatory.
Request the EICR from your electrician dorset immediately after the inspection. Distribute copies to all tenants the same week. Keep proof of delivery: emails with read receipts or signed acknowledgement forms work.
C1 and C2 codes indicate defects requiring urgent attention. C1 means danger present: immediate action required. C2 means potentially dangerous: urgent remediation needed. Both must be resolved within 28 days of the inspection date.
Some landlords treat these deadlines as flexible. They're not. If your EICR specifies a shorter timeframe than 28 days, that deadline applies instead.
When our electricians in dorset identify C1 or C2 issues, we provide clear timelines for remedial work. Schedule repairs immediately after receiving your EICR. Don't wait until day 27 to call an electrician: availability may be limited, particularly during peak periods across Bournemouth and Poole.
Having the repairs done is only half the requirement. You must obtain written confirmation from the qualified electrician who completed the work. Then you must provide this confirmation to your tenants and the local authority within 28 days of completion.
This is where many Dorset landlords fall short. The work gets done, but the paperwork doesn't follow.
After remedial work is completed, request written confirmation immediately. Send copies to your tenants within the 28-day window. For properties in the BCP Council area or wider Dorset Council jurisdiction, email documentation to electrical-reports@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Keep copies of all correspondence.
BCP Council and Dorset Council can request your EICR in writing at any time. You have seven days to respond: not seven working days, seven calendar days.
This catches landlords out regularly. The request arrives while you're away, or it's filed with other correspondence and forgotten. Seven days pass quickly.
Set up a system for monitoring council correspondence. If you use a letting agent, ensure they're authorized to respond on your behalf. When a request arrives, locate your current EICR immediately and submit it. Late responses can result in enforcement action.
Our team works with landlords across Ferndown, Ringwood, and surrounding areas to ensure their documentation is organized and accessible. Having your certificates filed properly makes compliance straightforward.
Not all properties require an immediate EICR. New builds come with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) from the original installation. This certificate covers you for five years from the date it was issued.
Some landlords commission unnecessary EICRs for new properties because they don't understand this exemption. Others assume all properties are automatically exempt if they're relatively new, which isn't correct.
Check your documentation. If you have an EIC less than five years old, you don't need an EICR yet. If your property is older than five years since the EIC was issued, or if you don't have an EIC, arrange an EICR now.
C3 codes are advisory. They're not legally required remedial work, so many landlords ignore them entirely. This is short-sighted.
C3 recommendations flag issues that may become serious problems. Addressing them now prevents more expensive work later. They also demonstrate to tenants that you maintain your property properly, which reduces disputes and vacancy periods.
When electricians dorset identify C3 issues during your inspection, review them carefully. Consider the age of your property and the likely cost of addressing recommendations now versus waiting. In our experience across Christchurch, Bournemouth, and Poole, tackling C3 codes during planned maintenance cycles is cost-effective.
These seven mistakes are common, but they're all fixable. Most compliance failures come down to poor tracking systems and delayed responses rather than deliberate non-compliance.
Dorset Electrical Solutions has carried out electrical inspections and testing across the region for more than two decades. We work with landlords managing single properties and larger portfolios throughout BCP and Dorset Council areas.
Our inspections are thorough. Reports are clear. Remedial work is scheduled promptly. We understand local authority requirements because we work with them regularly.
Set your next inspection date now. Track your deadlines properly. Respond to reports and requests promptly. Compliance isn't complicated when you have the right systems in place.
Contact us for EICR inspections across Dorset. We'll ensure your certificates are compliant and your properties are safe.
