Domestic Visual Condition Report software for a visual-only check, no testing

What a Domestic Visual Condition Report is

A Domestic Visual Condition Report records the condition of an electrical installation based on a visual examination alone — no dead or live testing is carried out. It is a lighter-touch check than a full EICR, which includes both inspection and a schedule of tests. A Visual Condition Report can pick up visible signs of damage, wear, unsafe accessories, or obviously incorrect installation work, but it cannot confirm what testing confirms — things like insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, or correct RCD operation, which are only verified by testing.

Because it does not test, a Visual Condition Report is not a substitute for a full EICR where a periodic inspection with testing is due or required. Whether a visual-only check is appropriate for a given situation, or whether it should be followed by a full tested EICR, is a judgement for the qualified person carrying out the assessment.

This section describes what the report covers in general terms. It is not advice on whether a visual-only check is sufficient for a specific installation or purpose — that decision sits with the qualified person carrying it out.

Domestic Visual Condition Report or EICR — which one

An EICR includes both inspection and testing, and is the report that satisfies the private rented sector's statutory five-year duty (see EICR). A Domestic Visual Condition Report is visual-only and does not include testing. Where a periodic statutory inspection is due, the tested EICR is the relevant form, not the visual-only report.

Domestic Visual Condition Report or Minor Works — which one

These are for different situations. Minor Works certifies new work carried out on an existing circuit — something was installed or altered. A Domestic Visual Condition Report certifies nothing new was done at all; it is purely an assessment of what already exists. See Minor Works if the job actually involved carrying out work.

How NexCert issues a Domestic Visual Condition Report

NexCert issues the Domestic Visual Condition Report alongside EIC, EIC-D, EICR (domestic and commercial) and Minor Works, from the same workspace. The engineer completes the visual assessment on a phone or tablet, on site, with the form working offline and resuming if signal drops. Where a supervisor review is part of the workflow, that happens remotely from a desktop. The finished report is delivered with an evidence trail of what was examined and when.

There are fields for your own NICEIC, NAPIT, SELECT or Gas Safe registration number, at both company and individual engineer level, on every certificate NexCert issues.

Domestic Visual Condition Report and the rest of the electrical family

The Domestic Visual Condition Report is one of six electrical certificate types NexCert ships under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026: EIC (full form), EIC-D (domestic short form), EICR domestic, EICR commercial, Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, and the Domestic Visual Condition Report.