Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

An Electric Installation Condition Report (EICR) is produced following an assessment of the property’s hardwired electrical system, which typically consists of the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, and switches. An EICR should be carried out at least every 5 years.

Whilst the EICR assesses the condition of the property’s ‘built-in’ electrical system, a portable appliance test (PAT) covers the plug-in appliances, such as a television or white goods. PAT tests should be carried out at least once a year.

Gas-elec can conveniently carry out both inspections at the same time ensuring the safety of your tenants’ home environment.

The duration of an EICR depends on the size and complexity of the property. A typical inspection for a standard residential property takes between 2 to 4 hours. Larger properties or those with extensive wiring may take longer.

If faults are found during an EICR, they will be classified based on their severity. Urgent issues (C1 and C2 codes) must be rectified immediately to ensure safety, while C3 codes are recommendations for improvement. Your electrician will advise on the necessary steps to bring the installation up to standard.

As a Landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. Gas Safety Regulations 1998 provides full details of duties which must be carried out to ensure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe for use and purpose. This includes appliances that are within any communal area which tenants are permitted to use.

The Landlord is responsible for arranging the maintenance and repair of all provided flues, appliances and pipework and ensuring these are carried out by a gas-safe registered engineer.

You are also required to ensure an annual gas safety check is carried out within 10 to 12 months of a new appliance installation or flue. Records of these safety checks must be kept for a minimum of 2 years, and these must be issued to existing tenants within 28 days of completion. Copies are to be issued to new tenants prior to them occupying the property.

If you decide to use a property management service, make sure your contract clearly identifies who is responsible for making arrangements for maintenance and safety checks.

The HSE strongly advise that you, as a Landlord, receive reports for any works and checks carried out on your property. This is to ensure all maintenance and safety services are completed, enabling you to fulfill your legal obligations as a Landlord.

No; however, your tenant has a duty not to use an appliance they believe to be dangerous. An agreement may be drawn up for an appliance or flue installed in a non-residential part of the premises, for example, a shop or public house.

Yes, landlords must provide tenants with a copy of the most recent EICR before they move in. If an inspection is carried out during the tenancy, tenants should receive the report within 28 days.

Landlords must ensure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed where required and that they are in working order at the start of each new tenancy. It is recommended that these alarms be tested regularly, at least once a month, and replaced if they are faulty.

Any room converted to use as sleeping accommodation should not hold a gas fire, gas space heater or gas water heater (over 14 kilowatts) unless room-sealed.

If the mentioned appliances are below 14 kilowatts, they must be either room-sealed or have an atmosphere-sensing device. If a room contains one or more of these appliances and has been used as a bedroom before 1998, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine whether it can still be used as a bedroom.

Gas safety checks are carried out by Gas Safety Registered engineers, and issued upon completion without delay and regardless of whether a defect has been detected. Landlords are responsible for adding records of any follow-up actions required and completing a full history on the property for gas safety.

Signs of a faulty gas appliance include yellow or orange flames (instead of blue), excessive condensation, pilot lights frequently going out, or black soot marks around the appliance. If you notice any of these signs, stop using the appliance and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer immediately.

If you smell gas or suspect a leak, you should:

• Turn off the gas supply at the mains (if safe to do so).
• Open windows and doors to ventilate the area.
• Avoid using electrical switches, open flames, or smoking.
• Call the National Gas Emergency Service (0800 111 999 in the UK) immediately.

When taking over a new property as a private owner, servicing the boiler should be considered a major priority, especially if there isn’t any history of recent servicing or inspection – look for a boiler benchmark logbook for a history of gas-safe registered engineers’ visits.

Servicing a boiler or any gas appliance will ensure the appliance is operating correctly – safety and efficiency being top priority.

If you are a tenant moving into a rental property, make sure you have a copy of the mandatory safety inspection report covering all gas appliances within the property.

All manufacturers recommend that your boiler is serviced on an annual basis, and as such, no time of year is better than any other time as most boilers operate throughout the year, either supplying heating and hot water (winter months) or hot water only (summer months).

However, there are likely to be peak periods such as late autumn or early winter, and so should either appointments or parts required may not be available, it is possible that delays in having a service carried out could arise which could lead to periods of problematic boiler operation.

If a radiator is cold at the top, then an air bubble could be the reason. This can be resolved simply by bleeding the radiator as required.

Cold patches at the bottom of the radiator could be a sign that the system is dirty and that sludge and debris are sitting at the bottom of the radiator. Cleaning this out can be complex and so professional assistance is advised.

Cold patches elsewhere on the radiator panel could be a blockage, again from debris, but this time a blockage within the channel ways of the radiator. Again this can be complex to resolve which may include a radiator replacement.

If the time clock is an older mechanical clock, it is possible that the drive mechanism is simply worn out, and a replacement clock will be required.

If the clock is electronic and is battery-operated then it may be a simple case of new batteries are required – most batteries should last for a year to eighteen months.

Mains-powered clocks are generally reliable, providing the power isn’t turned off and the battery backup supply is good. Should the power be lost then most clocks of this type don’t give much trouble.

This isn’t an easy question to answer.

If the boiler is inspected and serviced on a regular basis then the boiler should function without issue. If the system is a combi boiler or a pressurised system, then the pressure on the gauge either on the boiler or airing cupboard when the system is cold should read approximately 1 bar. With the system operating on heating then the pressure should be a little higher but not greater than 3 bar.

If it is greater than 3 bar then the figure can be an indication that a fault is developing and that attention from a gas-registered engineer is required.

Other issues to look out for are cooler hot water temperatures at hot taps, cloudy hot water and slow flow or very noisy operation of the boiler (banging, hissing, boom/thump sound on boiler start-up).

A boiler service is a thorough inspection of the appliance, checking for wear and tear, efficiency, and safety. A gas safety check ensures that gas appliances, flues, and pipework are functioning safely. While both are important, a service is more detailed and helps maintain the long-term health of the boiler.

To improve efficiency, you can:

• Bleed radiators regularly to remove trapped air.
• Insulate pipes to prevent heat loss.
• Set your thermostat to an optimal temperature (typically 18-21°C).
• Service your boiler annually.
• Use smart heating controls to optimise energy usage.

It is recommended that each of the services (gas and electrical) be safety and operationally inspected as part of the home-buying process, especially if there isn’t a documented history of inspections

Once a property is purchased and issues arise, then it’s often a case of an unforeseen and potentially major expense that can take the shine off your “ideal” home.

Yes, it is strongly recommended to have an EICR and a Gas Safety Check before buying a property, especially if there are no records of recent inspections. Identifying potential issues beforehand can save you from unexpected repair costs.

If safety issues are identified during an inspection, you may be able to negotiate the property price or request the seller to carry out necessary repairs before completion. Ensuring the home meets safety standards before purchase is essential for long-term cost savings and safety.