In England (new tenancies from 1 July 2020, all tenancies from 1 April 2021) and in Wales (new occupation contracts from 1 December 2022, converted contracts by 1 December 2023), every private rented property must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out by a qualified electrician at least every 5 years. The report covers the fixed electrical installation: consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing, bonding. It does not cover portable appliances, those sit under a separate PAT regime.
Who can carry out an EICR
A qualified and competent electrician registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or STROMA. Ask for their registration number before booking and check it online, registration is free to verify and takes 30 seconds.
Understanding the classifications
| Code | Meaning | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury. | Power off. Remedial work within 28 days. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work required. | Remedial work within 28 days. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended, not unsafe but below modern standard. | No action required for compliance. Consider at next rewire. |
| FI | Further Investigation Required. | Investigate within 28 days and rectify any issues found. |
A 'Satisfactory' verdict only follows when there are no C1, C2 or FI codes. A report with any of these must be followed by remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). Once fixed, you need written confirmation from the electrician, keep it filed with the EICR.
What you give the tenant
- Copy of the EICR within 28 days of the check.
- Copy to any new tenant before they move in.
- Copy to the local authority within 7 days if they request it.
- Written confirmation of any remedial work within 28 days of the C1/C2/FI being identified.
When does 5 years reset?
The 5-year clock runs from the date of the most recent satisfactory EICR. If you had remedial work done after an unsatisfactory report, the fresh confirmation-of-work letter acts as the new anchor date for your records, but the 5-year EICR clock still runs from the original satisfactory report. If in doubt, book a fresh EICR, it is cheaper than a dispute.
Typical cost and what to expect
Expect £150 to £300 per property for a standard 3-bed flat. Larger properties, HMOs, and older wiring cost more. The electrician needs access to the consumer unit and every fused spur, switch and socket, so clear the clutter before they arrive. A rushed EICR in a cluttered flat produces more C3 codes than a careful one.
If the council inspects
Under the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations, a local authority can issue a remedial notice requiring compliance within 21 days. Non-compliance can lead to a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. They can also arrange remedial works themselves and recover the cost from you. This is not a regime to ignore.