EICR requirements for landlords
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection of the fixed electrical wiring in a property — the consumer unit (fuse box), wiring, sockets, light fittings, and other permanently connected equipment. Since 2020, having a valid EICR has been a legal requirement for private landlords in England.
When did this become law?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 introduced mandatory electrical safety checks:
- 1 July 2020 — required for all new tenancies
- 1 April 2021 — required for all existing tenancies
This means every privately rented property in England should now have a valid EICR.
How often do I need one?
An EICR must be carried out at least every 5 years, or more frequently if the previous report recommended an earlier re-inspection date.
Who can carry out an EICR?
The inspection must be done by a qualified and competent person. In practice, this means an electrician who is registered with a government-approved scheme such as:
- NICEIC
- NAPIT
- ELECSA
- Stroma
What does it cost?
An EICR typically costs between £150 and £350, depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits. Remedial works, if required, are billed separately.
What do the results mean?
The EICR uses classification codes to indicate the condition of the installation:
| Code | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present — risk of injury | Immediate remedial action required |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Urgent remedial action required |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not mandatory, but advisable |
| FI | Further investigation required | Additional testing needed |
An EICR is classed as satisfactory if there are no C1, C2, or FI observations. If any of these are found, the report is unsatisfactory and you must act.
What if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
If the EICR is unsatisfactory, you must complete any remedial works within 28 days (or within the period specified by your local council, if shorter). You must then:
- Obtain written confirmation from the electrician that the remedial works have been completed
- Provide a copy of the confirmation to your tenants within 28 days
- Provide a copy to your local council within 28 days
What must I give to tenants?
You must provide a copy of the EICR to:
- Existing tenants — within 28 days of the inspection
- New tenants — before they occupy the property
- Prospective tenants — within 28 days of a request
- Your local council — within 7 days of a request
Penalties
Failure to comply with the electrical safety regulations can lead to:
- A remedial notice from the local council requiring you to carry out works within 28 days
- If you fail to act, the council can arrange the works and recover costs from you
- A financial penalty of up to £30,000
- The penalty can be imposed per breach — so multiple failures can result in multiple penalties
EICR and licensing
If your property requires a licence (selective, additional, or mandatory HMO), a valid EICR is almost always a licence condition. An unsatisfactory EICR could result in licence conditions being breached, adding further penalties on top of the electrical safety regulations.
Use our postcode checker to see if your property needs a licence.