If you let a home in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require the electrical installation to be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified and competent person. The result is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). You must give copies to your tenants and, if asked, to the council, and any dangerous or potentially dangerous defects it finds must be put right within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
What an EICR covers
An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the condition of the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit, the circuits, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding. The inspection and testing are carried out against BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations, and the report says whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use.
It does not cover appliances such as kettles, lamps or washing machines. Checking those is a separate job, usually called portable appliance testing. You can read more about what the inspection involves on our electrical inspections and testing page.
When a rental property needs one
The rules applied to new tenancies in England from July 2020 and to existing tenancies from April 2021. In practice that means:
- the installation must be inspected and tested at least every five years
- the next inspection is due sooner if the previous report recommends a shorter interval
- a new tenancy needs a valid report in place before the tenant moves in
A report does not have to be redone for every new tenant. A valid report from within the last five years can be used again, as long as no shorter interval was recommended.
Who gets a copy, and when
Once the inspection is done, the regulations set out who must receive the report:
- existing tenants, within 28 days of the inspection
- a new tenant, before they move in
- a prospective tenant, within 28 days of them asking for it in writing
- the local council, within 7 days of a written request
- the person carrying out the next inspection
Keep your own copy safe. The next inspector will want to see it, and it is the easiest way to show the council what was done and when.
What the codes on the report mean
Each problem found is given a code that shows how serious it is:
- C1: danger present, with a risk of injury. Immediate action is needed.
- C2: potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial action is needed.
- FI: further investigation is needed without delay, because something could not be fully assessed.
- C3: improvement recommended. The installation does not meet current standards in that respect but is not considered dangerous.
A report with any C1, C2 or FI is unsatisfactory. C3 items on their own do not make it unsatisfactory, and the regulations do not require landlords to act on them, although they are often worth planning for. Where a C1 is found, the inspector will normally make that part safe straight away or ask your permission to do so.
Remedial work and the 28-day window
If the report is unsatisfactory, the remedial work or further investigation must be carried out by a qualified and competent person within 28 days, or within any shorter period the report specifies. If the further investigation turns up more problems, those are dealt with in the same way.
When the work is finished, get written confirmation that it has been done and that the installation now meets the required standard. This is usually an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. Give a copy to your tenants and the council within 28 days of the work being completed. Finding the cause of an FI item is often fault finding work rather than a simple repair.
HMOs and other types of let
The regulations cover most private tenancies in England, including most houses in multiple occupation. If your HMO is licensed, the licence may carry its own conditions about electrical safety, so read it carefully and check with your council if anything is unclear.
Some arrangements are excluded, such as lodgers who share the home with the landlord. If you are unsure whether your let is covered, check the government guidance or ask the council. These regulations apply to England only. Wales and Scotland have their own rules for rented homes.
If you let property in Surrey or London, you can request a landlord EICR through our quote form.
Common questions
How long is an EICR valid for a rented home?
The regulations require an inspection at least every five years. If the inspector recommends a shorter interval on the report, the next inspection is due by that earlier date instead.
Does a C3 code mean the report has failed?
No. C3 means improvement recommended. Only C1, C2 and FI codes make a report unsatisfactory, and the regulations do not require landlords to carry out C3 work.
Do I need a new EICR for every new tenant?
Not necessarily. A valid report from within the last five years can be used for a new tenancy, as long as the new tenant receives a copy before moving in and no shorter interval was recommended.
Does an EICR check the appliances I provide?
No. It covers the fixed installation: wiring, the consumer unit, sockets, switches and fixed fittings. Appliances you supply are checked separately, usually by portable appliance testing.
Do these rules apply in Wales or Scotland?
These regulations apply to England. Wales and Scotland have their own electrical safety requirements for rented homes, so landlords there should check the rules for that nation.