Welsh rules include mains-powered interlinked smoke alarms on each storey, CO alarms for rooms with gas, oil or solid-fuel appliances, and electrical testing at most every five years or sooner if specified.
Read the electrical report beyond its date
Find the property address, extent of the inspection, overall outcome, observations and next inspection recommendation.
- Check that the report covers the correct dwelling and installation. For a flat, identify any separate shared-area installation rather than assuming the flat's report includes it.
- Identify dangerous or potentially dangerous observations and any further investigation. Ask the electrician what must be made safe immediately and what evidence will confirm completion.
- Keep remedial certificates or written confirmation with the original report. Paying the invoice does not change an unsatisfactory report into a satisfactory one.
Check alarm coverage on site
Use a room and storey plan to record what is installed. A receipt for three alarms does not establish that they cover the required places.
- Confirm the Welsh smoke alarm requirements, including mains power and interlinking, on every relevant storey. Record the test and any inaccessible or defective unit.
- Identify each room with a relevant gas, oil or solid-fuel appliance and check the required CO alarm. Follow the manufacturer's location, testing and replacement instructions.
- Ask a competent installer to resolve uncertain coverage, especially after a conversion or layout change. Keep HMO or building-specific fire requirements separate.
Supply evidence and follow up
Use the statutory document timescales and record when the contract-holder actually receives the required material.
- For the electrical report, check the Welsh 14-day provision requirements against occupation and inspection dates. Record the report date and delivery date separately.
- Give relevant remedial confirmation within the required period and keep proof. Do not assume the electrician has sent it to the contract-holder.
- Set the next inspection date from the report and retain alarm replacement dates where the manufacturer specifies them. Investigate a new fault even if the periodic inspection is not due.
Example: the report recommends a shorter interval
A fictional EICR recommends another inspection in three years. The reminder should use that recommendation rather than automatically adding five years. Record the reason and keep the report available to the person arranging the next inspection.
What to do
- Inspect the installation and read the report’s scope and outcome.
- Give the current report within 14 days of occupation; if testing takes place later, supply it within 14 days of that inspection.
- Keep remedial confirmation and evidence that the required information reached the contract-holder.
Evidence to keep
- EICR and remedial confirmation
- Alarm locations, power, interconnection and test record
Sources and guidance
- Fitness of homes for human habitation: landlord guidanceWelsh Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Renting Homes: checklist for landlords and tenantsWelsh Government · checked 20 October 2026