The Landlord's Complete Guide to EICRs

If you rent out a property in England, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is no longer optional — it's a legal requirement. This guide covers everything you need to know, from what an EICR actually involves to how often you need one and what to do when something fails.

What Is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal inspection of a property's fixed electrical installation — the wiring, consumer unit (fuse board), sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding. It's carried out by a qualified electrician and results in a written report that grades any defects found by severity.

An EICR is not the same as a portable appliance test (PAT test), which covers portable electrical items like kettles and toasters. An EICR covers only what's fixed into the fabric of the building.

Is an EICR a Legal Requirement for Landlords?

Yes. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, all private landlords in England are legally required to:

• Have a valid EICR for every rental property
• Ensure the electrical installation is inspected at least every 5 years
• Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Provide a copy to prospective tenants within 28 days of a request
• Provide a copy to their local housing authority within 7 days of a request
• Carry out any required remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if specified in the report)

Local authorities can impose a fine of up to £30,000 on landlords who fail to comply.

How Often Does a Rental Property Need an EICR?

At least every 5 years, or at every change of tenancy — whichever comes sooner. Some properties with older wiring may need more frequent inspection. The report itself will specify the recommended reinspection interval.

For HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), an EICR has been required for even longer, so many HMO landlords are familiar with the process.

What Happens During an EICR?

A qualified electrician will carry out a thorough inspection of the property's electrical installation. This typically involves:

• Checking the condition of the consumer unit and all protective devices
• Testing that earthing and bonding are adequate
• Checking for any signs of damage, deterioration or overheating
• Testing circuits for insulation resistance and continuity
• Checking that protective devices (RCDs, MCBs) operate correctly
• Verifying that wiring complies with current regulations

The inspection requires access to all rooms and the consumer unit. Power may need to be isolated briefly to some circuits during testing. Most residential EICRs take 2–4 hours.

Understanding the EICR Codes

Any defects or deviations found during the inspection are coded as follows:

• C1 — Danger present: A hazard exists that requires immediate action. C1 items mean the installation cannot be deemed satisfactory until they are remedied.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous: Not immediately dangerous but requires urgent attention. C2 items also result in an unsatisfactory report.
• C3 — Improvement recommended: Not immediately dangerous, but improvement is advised. A C3 alone does not make the report unsatisfactory — it becomes a record for future reference.
• FI — Further investigation required: An aspect of the installation requires further investigation to determine its condition and safety.

If an EICR has any C1 or C2 observations, it will be issued as Unsatisfactory. You will then be required to carry out the remedial work within 28 days (or sooner for C1 items) and provide evidence of completion to your tenant and local authority.

How Much Does an EICR Cost for a Rental Property?

For a typical two- or three-bedroom house, an EICR generally costs between £150 - £300, depending on the size of the property and its location. Larger properties or those with complex installations will cost more. We provide fixed-price quotes for all EICR work so there are no surprises.

You can find out more about our EICR service here, or contact us for a free quote.

Do I Need to Carry Out the Remedial Work Immediately?

If your EICR returns a C1 observation, yes — it must be dealt with straight away before tenants can safely use the property. For C2 items, you have 28 days. For C3 recommendations, there is no legal obligation to act, but it's always sensible to address them in time.

At Upton's, we can carry out any remedial work identified during an EICR and issue the relevant completion certificates, giving you a full audit trail for your records.

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