An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, is a report on the safety of a property's fixed electrical installation: the wiring, sockets, light fittings, consumer unit and other permanent parts. For private landlords in England it has been a legal requirement since 2020. For electricians it is regular, bookable work.
What landlords in England must do
Under the 2020 regulations, landlords must:
- ensure national standards for electrical safety are met while the property is let
- have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified and competent person, or more often if the report says so
- give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- give a copy to new tenants before they move in, and to prospective tenants within 28 days if they ask
- give a copy to the local authority within seven days if they ask for one
- keep a copy to give to the next inspector
The regulations apply to most private tenancies, including houses in multiple occupation. Some types of accommodation are excluded, such as social housing and lodgers living with their landlord.
What the inspection covers
An EICR checks the condition of the fixed installation against the current edition of the wiring regulations (BS 7671). The electrician will typically:
- Inspect the consumer unit, wiring and accessories for damage, wear and overheating.
- Check earthing and bonding.
- Test a sample of circuits, or all circuits, for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity and earth fault loop impedance.
- Test residual current devices (RCDs).
- Record observations and give each one a code.
Portable appliances are not part of an EICR. Landlords who supply appliances often ask for PAT testing at the same visit.
What the codes mean
| Code | Meaning | What the landlord must do |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Fix immediately. The electrician will usually make it safe on the day |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remedial work required |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not required by the regulations, but worth considering |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Investigation required without delay |
If the report contains any C1, C2 or FI codes, the overall result is unsatisfactory.
When the report is unsatisfactory
The landlord must arrange for the remedial work or further investigation to be done within 28 days, or a shorter period if the report says so. They must then get written confirmation from the electrician that the work is done and the installation now meets the standard, and give that confirmation, along with the original report, to the tenants and to the local authority within 28 days of the work being completed.
Local authorities can issue remedial notices and fines of up to £30,000 for breaches. They can also arrange the work themselves and recover the cost.
What about Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- Scotland: private landlords must have an EICR at least every five years, along with PAT testing of appliances they provide.
- Wales: under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, landlords must have an electrical condition report at least every five years for occupation contracts.
- Northern Ireland: has its own private tenancy rules on electrical safety checks.
Check the official guidance for each nation, as details and start dates differ.
How long does an EICR take and what does it cost?
A one or two-bed flat often takes two to three hours. A larger house, or one with several consumer units, takes longer. Prices vary by region and property size. Landlords should be wary of very cheap reports: a proper inspection takes time, and an unrealistically fast visit may not test enough to be meaningful.
Tips for electricians doing landlord work
- Price by property size and number of circuits, not one flat fee, so large properties do not lose you money.
- Explain codes clearly. Landlords want to know what is urgent, what is advisory and what it will cost to fix.
- Quote for remedials straight away. Send the report and the remedial quote together, so the landlord can approve the work within the 28 days.
- Book the next one now. A five-year reminder is easy to forget. Set it on the day.
- Work with letting agents. Agents manage many properties and value a contractor who keeps their compliance up to date.
Keeping track of five-year cycles
The hardest part for landlords and agents is remembering when each EICR runs out, especially across a portfolio. A simple register of properties, report dates and due dates, with reminders, avoids last-minute panics and gaps in compliance.
How Cuppaflow helps
On the Pro plan, electricians can complete EICRs, minor works certificates and EICs in Cuppaflow as branded PDFs, attach the remedial quote and send both together. Each property keeps its certificates and due dates, reminders go out before the next inspection is due, and landlords and letting agents can see their properties, reports and invoices in their own portal. You remain responsible for the inspection and testing, and for your registration with your competent person scheme.
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