An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, is a formal inspection of a property's fixed electrical installation (the wiring, consumer unit, sockets and fittings) carried out by a qualified electrician. For landlords in England, it isn't optional paperwork; it's a legal requirement.
Since 2020, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations have required landlords to have the electrical installation in each rented property inspected and tested by a qualified person, and to hold a satisfactory report before letting or continuing to let the property.
Rules for privately rented property in Scotland and Wales differ in detail, so it's worth checking the specific requirements that apply to where the property is located.
For most rented properties in England, an EICR is required at least every five years, or sooner if a previous report specifies an earlier retest date. Many landlords also arrange a new EICR at the start of a new tenancy as good practice, even if the existing certificate hasn't expired.
A qualified electrician will typically:
The property doesn't need to be brand new or recently rewired to pass. The inspection is about whether the existing installation is safe, not whether it's the latest standard.
Any issues found are classified by severity:
A report with any C1 or C2 codes is classed as unsatisfactory, and the landlord must have the remedial work carried out within the timescale set out in the report.
Where a report identifies C1 or C2 issues, landlords in England are required to have the remedial work carried out by a qualified person within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies. Written confirmation of the completed work, along with the original report, must then be supplied to the tenant and, on request, to the local authority.
Local authorities can serve a remedial notice requiring the work to be carried out, and can arrange the work themselves and recover the cost from the landlord if it isn't done. Financial penalties can also apply for non-compliance, on top of the practical and reputational risk of an unsafe property.
An EICR should always be carried out by a qualified, competent electrician. Using an unqualified or unregistered person can invalidate the report and still leave the landlord non-compliant even if paperwork was produced. A properly conducted inspection protects both the tenant's safety and the landlord's legal position.
