Electrical Inspections
Landlord EICR in Surrey & London
A landlord EICR is the inspection and test of a rented home's fixed wiring that the 2020 regulations in England require at least every five years. Most flats and houses take a few hours. You receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report to give to your tenants, and to the council if it asks.
Since 2020, private landlords in England have had to have the electrical installation in their rented homes inspected and tested at least every five years, and to act on what the report finds. The rules cover new and existing tenancies, and most houses in multiple occupation as well.
An EICR for a rented property is the same inspection as for any home, but the paperwork and deadlines around it matter more. We carry out the inspection, explain the codes on the report in plain English, and quote separately for any remedial work so you can meet the deadlines.
Typical work
- Five-yearly EICRs for rented houses and flats
- Inspections before a new tenancy where there is no valid report
- EICRs for houses in multiple occupation
- Remedial work on C1, C2 and FI items, certified on completion
- Inspections for letting agents managing several properties
What the regulations require
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set out what landlords must do. In outline, a landlord must:
- Have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years, or sooner if the report says so
- Give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Give a copy to a new tenant before they move in, and to a prospective tenant within 28 days if they ask for one
- Give a copy to the local council within 7 days if it asks for one
- Keep a copy to give to whoever carries out the next inspection
- Complete remedial work or further investigation within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, then confirm in writing to the tenants and the council within 28 days of completion
This is a summary of the rules in England, not legal advice. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, and GOV.UK publishes the full guidance for landlords.
What the codes mean for landlords
- C1, danger present: needs immediate action, and the inspector will normally make it safe before leaving, for example by isolating the circuit
- C2, potentially dangerous: remedial work is required
- FI, further investigation required: the cause has to be looked into
- C3, improvement recommended: not required by the regulations, but worth planning for
Any C1, C2 or FI item makes the report unsatisfactory, and the 28-day window, or the shorter period stated on the report, then applies.
HMOs and letting agents
The regulations apply to most houses in multiple occupation as well as single lets. HMO licence conditions can add their own electrical requirements, so check your licence and with your council. Where an agent manages the property, the legal duty is still the landlord’s, so it is worth knowing where the latest report is and when it runs out.
Planning the inspection
Testing means circuits are switched off for short periods, so tenants need notice and access has to be arranged. Clear access to the consumer unit and to sockets behind furniture makes the visit quicker. If you are not sure whether your current report is still valid, check the date and the recommended next inspection on its summary page.
Our page on electrical inspections and testing covers what is tested, and the EICR guide for landlords goes through the rules in more detail.
What affects the cost
The number of circuits and boards, the size of the property and how easy it is to get access all affect the time needed. HMOs usually take longer because of communal areas, shared supplies and more circuits. Remedial work depends entirely on what the report finds, so it is quoted once the inspection is done.
Where we do this work
Landlord EICR from our base in Redhill, anywhere in Surrey including Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Nutfield, Bletchingley and the surrounding towns, plus London and nearby counties. Larger commercial jobs further afield are welcome by enquiry. See all areas covered.
Common questions
How often does a rented property need an EICR?
In England, at least every five years under the 2020 regulations. If the report recommends a shorter interval, for example because the installation is older, the landlord must follow the shorter date.
Do I need a new EICR for each new tenancy?
Not if the existing report is still within its validity period. A new tenant must be given a copy of the current report before they move in, and a new inspection is needed only if there is no valid report.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
Any item coded C1, C2 or FI must be put right or investigated within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Once the work is done, the landlord must give written confirmation to the tenants and the council within 28 days.
Do C3 items need fixing?
No. C3 means an improvement is recommended, but it does not make the report unsatisfactory and the regulations do not require it. Many landlords plan C3 items into their next round of maintenance.
Does an EICR cover appliances?
No. The EICR covers the fixed installation, such as wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit. Appliances supplied with the property are not part of this requirement, though checking them is good practice.
Do the rules apply to HMOs?
Yes, the regulations apply to most houses in multiple occupation. HMO licences can carry additional conditions, so it is worth checking yours with the local council.
Can tenants stay in during the inspection?
Yes. Circuits are switched off for short periods while they are tested, so tenants should be told in advance, and anything that must stay powered should be discussed beforehand.
Ready to talk about your electrical work?
Tell Joe what you need and where you are, and he will come back to you with a clear quote. Call, send a WhatsApp message, or use the quote form.