EICR Certificate when selling

[MyToothbrushDied]

Hello, I am hoping to sell my first house this year as i need to move into catchement area so my youngest can attend the same HS as his brother. I am a lone parent with 2 sons, one severally disabled, so money is extremely tight.

I had the house surveyed, and was recommended to have an EICR certificate undertaken instead of completing decorating. The house needed a lot of work, it's been the first house I bought and the sale was followed by a period of homelessness, so it was all a blur and the worst time of my life. It has had roof repairs, new flat roof, insulation, cladding, new bathroom, new front door etc. I have no savings left.

Back to the EICR, the house is 1970s build and most of the wiring dates back to then. What happens in the inevitable case of recommended actions, or even unsafe wiring. I can't afford to have the work done. In this case, is the EICR more harm than good?

Any advice greatly appreciated, I'm on my own with all this!

Usually the buyer pays for this if they want to have one the same as they pay for a survey. Why did you pay for a survey when it's up to the buyer to pay for it. If anything comes up at all you don't have to fix it you sell it with the buyers knowing what needs doing but this will obviously reflect the selling price of the house.

An EICR is not compulsory when selling a house, are you in Scotland as you’ve had your survey done already?
Id leave it up to the buyers.

I'm an electrician - as others have said EICRs are usually ordered by the buyer of a property if they are concerned about the electrical installation.

Unless the property was wired or upgraded in the last 10 years its likely to get an unsatisfactory on the basis that requirements have changed, rather than there actually being anything "unsafe".

An EICr cannot be transferred, so, if you ordered it, it technically becomes void when the new owner comes on board, because the inspecting electrician's contract is between them and the person ordering the report.

A house built in the 1970's will have PVC insulation and an earth conductor on the lighting circuit, so it is highly unlikely it would need re-wiring - most 70's properties just need a new, modern fuse box and new accessories - but even these may not be needed. The main reason for more invasive works in a 70's build would be because of say pest damage to the wiring or wanting more sockets, different lighting options.

I would leave it to the buyer to decide if they want to go down that road - in my experience most folks buying a house with an old fuse box call the likes of me once they have the keys and upgrade to what they want - especially as what you would fit as a replacement depends on what the new owners are looking to do, they may want extra circuits, solar panels, car charger etc. none of which is your worry.

If it works, leave it be!