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 for new tenancies
- 1 April 2021 for 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 sooner 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 usually means an electrician registered with a recognised scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or 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 remedial works within 28 days, or within the shorter period specified by the report or local council. You must then:
- Obtain written confirmation that the remedial works have been completed
- Provide a copy of that confirmation to tenants within 28 days
- Provide a copy to the local council within 28 days if requested
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 works
- The council arranging the works and recovering costs from you if you fail to act
- A financial penalty of up to £30,000
- Separate penalties for separate breaches in serious cases
EICR and licensing
If your property requires a licence, whether selective, additional, or mandatory HMO, a valid EICR is almost always a licence condition. An unsatisfactory EICR can therefore create licensing problems as well as electrical safety problems.
Use our postcode checker to see if your property needs a licence.