Hawick is one of the largest towns in the Scottish Borders and has a significant private rental market — particularly in the mill terraces that characterise much of the town's housing stock. If you're a landlord in Hawick or the surrounding Teviot valley, here's what you need to know about EICR compliance.
Hawick's Housing Stock — Why EICRs Matter Here
A large proportion of Hawick's rental properties are Victorian and Edwardian mill terraces — built between 1870 and 1920 to house the town's textile workers. Many of these properties still have original or early-replacement wiring that is now well beyond its safe service life.
The Teviot valley also has a significant number of rural farm cottages and converted agricultural buildings, which present their own electrical challenges — long cable runs, outbuildings, older earthing arrangements and sometimes no RCD protection at all.
Common EICR Findings in Hawick Properties
Scottish EICR Law — What Hawick Landlords Must Do
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Private Residential Tenancy regulations, all Hawick landlords must:
- Have a valid EICR carried out at least every 5 years by a qualified electrician
- Provide a copy to tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Provide a copy to new tenants before or at the start of their tenancy
- Carry out any required remedial work and retest before re-letting
- Make the EICR available to Scottish Borders Council on request