A Pembrokeshire electrician has pleaded guilty to supplying an electrical installation condition report (EICR) claiming the electrics in a household property were satisfactory when they were not.
Mark Cummins, trading as M C Electrics, from Haverfordwest, was commissioned to inspect and issue a condition report of the electrics in a property in November 2018.
In September 2021, Pembrokeshire County Court heard that Mr Cummins took less than an hour to do the inspection and issued an EICR to the vendor the same day, containing the written statement describing the electrics in the property as “satisfactory”.
In January 2019, the property was sold to a new owner who contracted a local electrician to install additional wall sockets prior to moving in.
After a visual inspection and conducting some tests, they concluded that the electrics were unsatisfactory, and advised a complete re-wire and to report the matter to a certification body.
Mr Cummins pleaded guilty to an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 of engaging in a commercial practice which was misleading action, by describing the general condition of the electrical installation of a property as satisfactory which was untruthful.
He was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1000 contribution towards costs and £100 statutory surcharge payment.
The Judge also commended the local authority for the way it approached the case.
Sandra McSparron, Pembrokeshire County Council Lead Trading Standards Officer, said: “Homeowners and buyers put their faith in the services of electricians and other professionals to deliver accurate and truthful reports, in order to make important and informed decisions. Mr Cummins report was a key factor in the decision to purchase in this case.
“I am concerned that subsequent reports identified potentially serious non compliances in the property.
“I hope this prosecution sends a message out to all traders in these fields."
Last updated 01 October 21