If you are asking which compliance certificate do I need, the first thing to know is that a "compliance certificate" is not one single document: it's a catch-all term people use for reports, certificates and records that come from inspection, testing or installation work.
Some compliance certificates relate to the condition of a building, some confirm new work was installed properly, and some are there to show that ongoing checks have been done and recorded.
The answer to "when do I need a compliance certificate?" depends on what sort of building you manage, what work has been carried out, and whether you're acting as a business owner, landlord or property manager.
For most businesses, the main documents tend to fall into a few familiar areas. These usually include:
Each one has a different purpose. An EICR records the condition of the fixed wiring and installation. PAT or EET records relate to plug-in items such as kettles, monitors and extension leads. Fire alarm and emergency lighting paperwork shows that those systems are being checked and maintained. A fire risk assessment records the fire risks in the building and what needs to be done about them.
For a broader overview, have a look at our article on UK Building Compliance Certificates.
This is where a lot of the confusion starts, because "electrical certificate" can mean different things.
In some cases, people mean an EICR, which is used to assess the condition of an existing fixed electrical installation. In others, they mean the certificate that is issued after electrical work has been carried out. That may be an Electrical Installation Certificate for larger works, or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for smaller changes.
An electrical installation certificate is needed for work such as a new circuit, alterations to an existing circuit, or the replacement of a fuse box or consumer unit. An EICR gives a full assessment of the property’s fixed electrical installation.
If your confusion is around the requirement of an electrical certificate of compliance, you're usually looking for one of those two things. While they're related, they're not the same document. One proves that electrical work was installed correctly, and the other that the installation has been inspected and its condition recorded.
Landlords usually need slightly different paperwork from a standard business occupier, especially where rented property is involved. The main compliance documents that landlords need are typically:
If you manage rental property, the timing matters as much as the paperwork itself. An EICR isn't something to think about only when a problem comes up; it needs to be kept current.
For short-term lets, have a look at our fire safety update for Airbnb hosts.
If electrical work has been carried out, the electrician should issue the right certificate for that job. An Electrical Installation Certificate is typically required for new circuits or significant alterations, while smaller changes may be covered by a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate.”.
For notifiable work in homes and similar domestic settings, you should also receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.
This is different from an EICR. An EICR is about the condition of the existing installation. An installation certificate confirms that new work or altered work was installed and tested properly at the time it was put into service.
Yes, although fire compliance paperwork is not always one neat certificate with one standard name. Fire compliance paperwork is often a mix of certificates, reports, service records and logbook entries, and consists of:
If you're unsure what should have been issued, it's typical documentation that clarifies what's been installed and what's been tested.
The document should come from the qualified person or competent contractor carrying out the work. The name of the document will vary depending on what has been done, but it should always record what was checked, any issues that were found, and whether the work or system was left in a satisfactory condition.
If you're unsure whether a document is a legal requirement, have a look at our guide on statutory compliance vs. best practice.
Keep the latest versions of the documents that apply to your building in one place. For most organisations, that means:
This is especially useful if you ever need to prepare for an insurance visit, audit or inspection. If your records are organised, it's much easier to show what has been done and what's still in hand, and proves that you're on top of your compliance.
The right certificate depends on the building, the work carried out and the type of duty you are managing. If you're unsure which compliance certificate you need or need help arranging testing and certification, we can help.
At phs Compliance, we carry out statutory inspection and test services across electrical and fire safety systems. We can help you work out what paperwork applies to your site, if anything is missing, and what needs booking next.
Explore our services or get in touch with our experts to discuss your requirements.
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