Electrical certificates come in different forms, and whether you need any of them to sell your house depends on the specific type of certificate, the age and history of the electrical installation, and whether any notifiable electrical work has been carried out in the property.

Electrical Installation Certificates

An Electrical Installation Certificate is issued when new fixed electrical installation work is completed, such as a new consumer unit, a new circuit, or a full rewire. It certifies that the specific work described has been tested and found to comply with the relevant standard at the time it was carried out. These certificates are issued by the electrician who carried out the work under Part P of the Building Regulations, either through a Competent Person Scheme self-certification or following a Building Control inspection.

If notifiable electrical work has been carried out in the property, the buyer's solicitor will ask for the relevant certificate as part of the conveyancing enquiries. If the certificate cannot be produced, this raises a compliance question that must be resolved either by the work being reinspected and certified, or by indemnity insurance covering the absence of the certificate.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports

An EICR is different from an Electrical Installation Certificate. It is a periodic inspection of the existing installation, rating its current condition. There is no legal requirement to have an EICR to sell an owner-occupied property, though landlords of privately rented properties are required to have a valid EICR every five years.

Buyers or their surveyors may raise questions about the electrical installation, particularly for older properties. Having a recent EICR that shows the installation is in satisfactory condition can prevent negotiations from becoming complicated at a late stage in the transaction.

What You Should Gather Before Marketing

Before marketing your property, it is worth gathering any electrical certificates that you have from work carried out during your ownership. These would include certificates for consumer unit replacement, any new circuits installed, work done in bathrooms or kitchens, and any other notifiable electrical work. If you do not have these and work was carried out, raising the issue with your solicitor early allows time to address it before a buyer's solicitor raises it as a blocking issue.

The Effect of Missing Certificates on Sale

Missing certificates for notifiable electrical work rarely prevent a sale, but they can cause delay and negotiation. Buyers may request a price reduction, require an EICR at the seller's expense, or ask for indemnity insurance to be put in place. Addressing missing certificates proactively before marketing gives the seller more control over how the issue is resolved.

Summary

There is no legal requirement for a seller to provide an electrical certificate to sell their home. Electrical Installation Certificates for notifiable work carried out during ownership should be gathered and provided to buyers as part of the conveyancing process. Their absence will be raised by the buyer's solicitor and will need to be resolved. An EICR, while not legally required for owner-occupiers selling, can prevent questions and negotiations about the condition of the electrical installation, particularly for older properties.