Quick answer
EICR requirements for UK rental properties — five-year electrical safety checks, landlord obligations, and what happens if your report is unsatisfactory.
Since 1 June 2020, landlords in England must have the electrical installations in their rental properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. The resulting report — an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — must be provided to tenants.
What the law requires
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020:
- Obtain an EICR from a qualified and competent person before letting (or by the deadline for existing tenancies)
- Ensure the electrical installation is safe for the intended period of the tenancy
- Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection
- Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
- Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested
- Complete any required remedial work within 28 days (or sooner for urgent C1/C2 observations)
- Provide confirmation of remedial work to tenants and the local authority
Understanding EICR codes
| Code | Meaning | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present — risk of injury | Immediate remedial action |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remedial action required |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not mandatory but advisable |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Investigate without delay |
An unsatisfactory report means C1, C2, or FI codes are present and must be addressed before the installation is considered safe.
Who can carry out the inspection?
The inspector must be qualified and competent — typically a registered electrician with appropriate inspection and testing qualifications (e.g. NICEIC, NAPIT, or equivalent). DIY inspections are not valid.
Costs
An EICR for a typical house costs £150–£250 depending on size and region. Remedial work is additional. Five-yearly testing means the annual cost is modest — but the penalty for non-compliance is not.
Penalties
Local authorities can impose fines up to £30,000 for breaches.
Common landlord mistakes
- Confusing a PAT test (portable appliance testing) with an EICR — they are different
- Not providing the report to tenants
- Ignoring C3 recommendations that later become C2 failures
- Forgetting the five-year renewal
Keeping on top of EICR renewals
If you use a managing agent, ask whether they track electrical safety certificate expiry, arrange inspections, coordinate remedial work and give reports to tenants. If you self-manage, diarise the five-year renewal date well ahead of expiry.
See the wider landlord legal requirements guide and the compliance guides.