Yes, but executed according to a industry standard specification. For instance, the recent EICR specification outlined by John Peckham would be ideal.

Totally agree.  An EICR from the Van is about as accurate/useful as no EICR or an outdated one.  The electrical industry needs to talk to the rental industry and make them aware what an EICR is and does.  They should also help explain the time needed for an EICR properly.  Eg a 2 bed flat maybe 2 to 3 hours and the avarage 3 bed semi about half a day.  The expected cost should also be discussed as in the SE of England an electrician should be earning about £200 to £400 a day.  Eg a small electrical business or a self employed domestic spark.

Estate agents that DEMAND an EICR for a 3 bed semi for about £100 is not tenable likewise a 2 bed flat for £50.  This would mean something like 6 time 2 bed flat a day for an Electrician to EICR to earn a reasonable wage.

Probably recommend, not make mandatory, if as shown in the post below, if it cannot be done well enough at a suitable cost/ value point for those at the bottom end of society- where does the  money to pay for this super service come from after all ?

Presumably something else is not happening instead, and it needs to be at least as valuable as that.

In the mix to be cut to make way for an EICR are checks of hot water systems, gas fittings, energy efficiency and lead and asbestos surveys, and that's before we get to heating bills, and economizing on food and clothing.

As a society we need to spend other people's money wisely.

Mike.

I beg to differ there Mike.  I think that social housing should be as safe as PRS housing.  An EICR is not a luxury item nor is Gas safety or is Legionnaires.

Social housing needs to factor in the build and running cost of these properties.  For me the running costs include the required safety testing.

If a standardised specification with mandatory minimum requirements were in place, it could be deemed acceptable for individuals to undertake the work for £50, provided it aligns with the specified EICR criteria. However, I believe this practice would likely be curtailed swiftly. If it persisted, one would need to question whether these £50 reports are potentially fabricated or these individuals are making a loss.

But even if we cannot afford, and already do not seem able to afford actually, to provide enough social housing to meet demand? There has to be a cut off.

I am not convinced that drive by EICRs do anything at all for the safety of tenants in private rented property ether, and I'm old enough to recall an era pre gas safe checks, when the gas related accident rate was about the same as it is today but the cost was not there - the thing that has really fallen in the last 30 years is the no. of fires caused by smoking.

Mike,.