EICR Landlord Requirements UKEICR Landlord Requirements UK
The Electrical Safety Standards regulations require landlords in England to have electrical installations inspected every 5 years. Non-compliance can result in fines up to £30,000.
EICR Landlord Requirements UK
The Electrical Safety Standards regulations require landlords in England to have electrical installations inspected every 5 years. Non-compliance can result in fines up to £30,000.
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a detailed inspection of a property's fixed electrical installations. This includes:
- Wiring and cables
- Sockets and switches
- Consumer unit (fuse box)
- Light fittings (fixed, not lamps)
- Electric showers and cookers
The inspection must be carried out by a qualified and competent person - typically a registered electrician.
Legal Requirements
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to:
- Have electrical installations inspected at least every 5 years
- Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
- Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested
- Keep copies for prospective tenants to view
Penalty Warning
Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000. Local authorities can also arrange their own inspections and charge you for the cost.
What Does the EICR Check?
The electrician will inspect for:
- Damage, deterioration, or defects
- Dangerous conditions
- Non-compliance with current wiring regulations
- Earthing and bonding adequacy
- RCD (residual current device) protection
Understanding EICR Results
The EICR will include condition codes:
- C1 - Danger present: Risk of injury. Requires immediate action.
- C2 - Potentially dangerous: Requires urgent remedial action.
- C3 - Improvement recommended: Not immediately dangerous but could be improved. Not mandatory.
- FI - Further investigation: More investigation needed to determine condition.
For C1 and C2 findings, you must complete remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if specified) and obtain written confirmation.
What If Remedial Work is Needed?
- Complete the work within 28 days (or the timescale in the report if shorter)
- Obtain written confirmation from a qualified electrician that the work is done
- Provide a copy of the confirmation to tenants within 28 days
- Provide to the local authority within 28 days if they requested the original report
Who Can Do an EICR?
The inspection must be done by a "qualified and competent person." This typically means an electrician who is:
- Registered with a competent person scheme (e.g., NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA)
- Qualified to at least City & Guilds 2391 or equivalent
How Much Does an EICR Cost?
EICR costs vary by property size and location. Typical prices:
- 1-2 bedroom flat: £100-£150
- 3-bedroom house: £150-£250
- Larger properties: £200-£350+
Shop around, but prioritise using a properly qualified electrician over the cheapest option.
Does EICR Affect Section 21?
Yes. As of April 2021, you cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice unless you have complied with the EICR requirements. This means:
- Having a valid EICR (within 5 years)
- Having provided a copy to the tenant
- Having completed any required remedial work
EICR Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Serve Section 21?
Make sure you've got your EICR sorted, then generate your notice.