EICRs in Leeds

Don’t Overlook the Electrics When Buying a Home

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. Whether it’s a charming Victorian terrace in Headingley or a modern family semi in Horsforth, you’ll likely pay for a homebuyer’s or full structural survey—but what about the electrics?

Too often, buyers assume the general property survey covers everything. But here’s the truth: Surveyors are not qualified electricians. They may make general comments like “electrical system appears dated” or “further investigation recommended,” but they cannot test the safety, compliance, or condition of the installation. That’s where a professional Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) comes in—and why it should be a standard part of your pre-purchase checks.

What is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?

An EICR is a detailed inspection carried out by a qualified, registered electrician. It assesses the safety and condition of a property’s entire electrical installation, including:

• Wiring and circuits
• Consumer unit (fuse box)
• Sockets, switches, and lighting
• Earthing and bonding
• RCD protection
• Any potential faults or fire hazards

The report gives a clear, written summary of:

• Whether the installation is safe to use
• What (if any) work is urgently required
• How compliant the system is with current regulations (BS 7671)

It’s the only way to accurately assess the true condition of the electrics before you exchange contracts.

Why Homebuyers in Leeds Shouldn’t Skip the EICR

Leeds is full of older properties, particularly in areas like:

• Burley
• Armley
• Moortown
• Chapel Allerton
• Pudsey

Many of these homes were wired decades ago, long before modern safety standards came into force. If you buy a property with outdated wiring, no RCD protection, or a fuse box that needs replacing, you could be facing unexpected rewiring costs of £3,000–£7,000 or more right after moving in.

That’s not a welcome surprise when you’ve just spent thousands on deposits, legal fees, and removals.

“It Looks Fine…” – Hidden Dangers We Commonly Find in Leeds Properties

One of the most alarming trends we see across Leeds—particularly in older homes—is the illusion of compliance. It’s not uncommon for a property to look like it has been upgraded with:

• A modern consumer unit with RCD protection
• Stylish sockets and switches
• A few new light fittings

But underneath? Serious, potentially dangerous issues are often lurking—ones that only show up during a proper EICR.

Issues We Frequently Discover:

1 - RCDs Bypassed Inside the Consumer Unit

Some so-called “electricians” (often unregistered) will deliberately bypass the RCD on a circuit that keeps tripping. This is usually done to:

• Hide deeper faults in the wiring
• Avoid the time/cost of fault finding
• Make the installation appear functional

This is extremely dangerous. An RCD is a life-saving device designed to trip in the event of a fault—bypassing it puts the entire system, and its users, at serious risk.

2 - Consumer Unit Upgrades with No Testing

We’ve encountered new-looking fuse boards installed without any verification of the existing wiring. If the underlying circuits are decades old and deteriorating, simply replacing the board doesn’t make the system safe—it masks the problem.

3 - Mixed Old and New Cabling

In many cases, the wiring has only been partially upgraded. Some circuits may be modern PVC twin and earth, while others still use outdated rubber-insulated or tinned copper cables. Without testing, it’s impossible to know what’s really there.

4 - Loose Terminations and DIY Alterations

Even in homes that look recently renovated, we often find:

• Sockets wired incorrectly
• Lighting circuits without earths
• Extension leads or spurs hidden behind plasterboard
• Showers or cookers on incorrectly rated circuits

These are exactly the kinds of faults that only a full EICR will uncover.

Don’t Rely on Your Surveyor Alone

Property surveys are important, but they’re not a substitute for a proper electrical check. In fact, most surveyors will include disclaimers like:

“We are not qualified electricians. We recommend that the electrical installation is tested by a competent professional.”

Unfortunately, many buyers ignore this advice—and end up paying the price later. Unlike gas appliances, there is no legal requirement to test electrics before selling. That means sellers often don’t bother unless the buyer insists on it.

What Should a Proper EICR Include?

A reliable EICR from a reputable company like Smart Ohm will include:

• Full visual inspection of all circuits
• Dead testing for continuity and insulation resistance
• Live testing for earth loop impedance and RCD operation
• Detailed written report with coding: C1 – Immediate danger (requires urgent action), C2 – Potential danger (needs repair), C3 – Improvement recommended.
• Honest recommendations with no upselling

We’ll also talk you through the results in plain English, so you fully understand what’s safe, what’s not, and what (if anything) needs attention.

How Much Does an EICR Cost in Leeds?

At Smart Ohm, pricing for an EICR starts from £300. This reflects the thoroughness and quality of our inspections—not a quick, tick-box exercise. We don’t just turn up, plug into a few sockets, press a button and leave. Instead, we:

• Take time to inspect every accessible part of your electrical system
• Conduct proper dead and live testing
• Check for signs of DIY work or dangerous modifications
• Provide honest, jargon-free explanations of our findings

You’ll receive a comprehensive, written report that accurately reflects the true condition of the installation—not just a “pass/fail” summary. If any issues are found, we clearly explain:

• What they mean
• How urgent they are
• What steps you may need to take next

We treat your potential new home like it’s our own—because we know it’s likely the biggest financial investment you’ll ever make.

Why “Cheap” EICRs Aren’t Worth the Risk

You may come across EICRs advertised online for £99–£150, but we strongly advise caution. Many of these low-cost inspections:

• Are rushed, often done in under 30 minutes
• Miss serious safety issues
• Provide vague or generic reports
• Are carried out by electricians unfamiliar with older property systems
• Use the inspection as a way to generate pushy sales quotes

With Smart Ohm, you’re paying for time, care, expertise, and transparency. We never cut corners, and we’ll never upsell you unnecessary work.

Buying in Leeds? These Property Types Often Need a Thorough EICR

Even new homes can suffer from cut corners, rushed installations, or poor maintenance—especially if they’ve had extensions or been rented out.

Smart Ohm – Trusted Electrical Inspections Across Leeds & West Yorkshire

At Smart Ohm, we carry out EICRs for homeowners, buyers and landlords across Leeds and surrounding areas. Our service is:

• NAPIT registered and TrustMark Approved
• Fully insured and certified under 18th Edition Wiring Regulations
• Friendly, transparent, and jargon-free
• Backed by years of experience in both older and new-build properties

We serve all areas of Leeds including Horsforth, Headingley, Beeston, Bramley, Wakefield, and beyond.

Book Your Pre-Purchase EICR with Smart Ohm Today

Don’t take chances with outdated electrics or surface-level inspections. Let our team provide the peace of mind you need to move forward with confidence.

Contact Smart Ohm for more information today!