Do I need and EICR check on new property?

[junipermarten]

I'm moving from rented to bought in a couple of weeks.

The guy that came to do our annual gas safety checks said once we move out I could get him to check the boiler in the new house to ensure it was up to grade etc. This should be done within the first 5 days of moving in otherwise the previous owners won't be liable.

I figured I should do the same for the electrics. I called someone I was recommended and he said he could come out for a visual on the electrics and it's similar to what's done on the home report. I asked if it was the same thing but I'm still not sure based on his responses.

I had a look online and a full check is an EICR which is the same as what we've had done in our rented property as required by law, it's not required for homeowners. It takes a few hours.

I can't see much online if it's worthwhile as most articles are discussing it for landlords.

It doesn't sound like the guy I've got coming out will be doing this, he'll just be doing pretty much the same as what's been done in the home report survey by the sounds of it.

Is an EICR something I should consider?

You can carry out a gas and electric report prior to completion at your cost, if there are problems you're more likely to have these fixed than post completion.

Sounds like the gas engineer is just scouting for work tbh

@Digimoor He's a genuine guy, have known him for years. We had to get a gas safety check annually when renting so I don't know why I wouldn't want to get that checked in my own house.

@abw94 Thanks, but that's not what I asked. I was looking to see if an EICR was worthwhile getting done in your own house as opposed to rented.

An electric safety check was one of the first things I did after completion (wasn't possible beforehand for various reasons, but we had overlap with our rental so the property was completely empty)

No issues came up - and I wasn't expecting them to, but dodgy DIY electrics wasn't something I wanted to risk.

You don't need one- in the same way as if you don't have a mortgage you don't need a survey/ but you can choose to have one.

However, if you're planning to hold the vendor responsible for any works it needs to be before exchange. You've got very little hope once the you have completed without taking legal action.