Since 1 July 2020 in England, and 15 July 2022 in Wales, 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–£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.