Compliance Guide
EICR for Landlords — Electrical Safety Requirements, Costs & Compliance Guide
Complete guide to EICRs for UK landlords: legal requirements since 2020, costs (£150–£350), what happens if you fail, and how to find a qualified electrician.
EICR Quick Reference
Legal basis
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312). Guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. Section 21 block applies if EICR is overdue.
Renewal cycle
Every 5 years
Who can issue
A qualified and competent electrician registered with an approved scheme: NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, BSI, or STROMA. They must hold a current inspection and testing qualification (such as City & Guilds 2391 or equivalent) and carry professional indemnity insurance.
Max fine
£40,000
Section 21
Blocks if expired
1. Overview
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal assessment of the fixed electrical installation in a property — the wiring, consumer unit (fuse board), sockets, switches, and light fittings. A qualified electrician inspects the installation against BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations), tests circuits for earth fault loop impedance, insulation resistance, and polarity, and records any defects using a standardised coding system.
Since 1 July 2020, landlords in England have been legally required to obtain an EICR before a new tenancy begins and at least every five years thereafter, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The report must be provided to tenants within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days if requested. Any defects coded C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) must be remediated by a qualified electrician within 28 days, or sooner if specified in the report.
Defect codes are critical to understand: C1 means immediate danger and the circuit should be isolated; C2 means the defect will become dangerous and needs urgent remediation; C3 is a recommendation for improvement but not a compliance failure; and FI (Further Investigation) means the electrician could not complete the assessment without additional work. An EICR with only C3 codes or no defects results in a "Satisfactory" outcome. Any C1, C2, or FI code makes the report "Unsatisfactory" and triggers the 28-day remediation obligation.
2. Cost
A EICR typically costs between £150 and £350. Cost depends on property size and number of circuits. A typical 2-bedroom flat is £150–£200. A 4-bedroom house with 10+ circuits is £250–£350. Remedial work is charged separately. London prices are 20–30% higher than the national average.
3. Regional Variations
England
Mandatory since 1 July 2020 under the 2020 Regulations. Applies to all new tenancies from that date, and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. Local authorities can issue remediation notices and impose fines up to £30,000 per breach. A valid EICR is required before serving a Section 21 notice.
Wales
Wales does not yet have equivalent mandatory EICR legislation, but the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 requires landlords to ensure electrical installations are safe. The Welsh Government has signalled its intention to introduce mandatory EICR requirements. Best practice is to obtain an EICR every 5 years regardless.
Scotland
Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Repairing Standard, landlords must ensure electrical installations are safe and inspected by a qualified electrician at least every 5 years. EICRs became a mandatory part of the Repairing Standard from 1 December 2015. The First-tier Tribunal can order compliance.
Northern Ireland
There is no specific EICR mandate for private landlords in Northern Ireland. However, the Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 requires landlords to ensure properties are safe. An EICR every 5 years is strongly recommended and may be required by landlord insurance policies.
4. EICR by Location
Requirements and costs vary by local authority. Select your area for council-specific guidance.
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Start tracking your EICRFrequently Asked Questions
What do the EICR codes C1, C2, C3, and FI mean?
C1 (Danger Present) means there is an immediate risk of injury — the circuit must be isolated immediately. C2 (Potentially Dangerous) means the defect is likely to become dangerous — remediation within 28 days is legally required. C3 (Improvement Recommended) is advisory — no legal obligation but good practice. FI (Further Investigation) means the electrician needs to do additional work to complete the assessment, and this must be resolved within 28 days as it is treated like a C2.
What is the fine for not having an EICR?
In England, local authorities can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. This is per property, so a landlord with multiple non-compliant properties faces cumulative fines. The local authority can also arrange remedial work and recover costs from the landlord. There is no imprisonment, but repeated non-compliance can lead to a banning order under the Housing and Planning Act 2016.
Can I use my EICR from when I bought the property?
Only if it was carried out within the last 5 years and received a Satisfactory outcome. A homebuyer's electrical survey or a condition report from a building survey is not the same as an EICR and will not satisfy the legal requirement. The report must follow the BS 7671 periodic inspection format.
My EICR says Unsatisfactory — can I still let the property?
You can continue an existing tenancy, but you must arrange remedial work within 28 days (or the timescale specified in the report) and obtain written confirmation from a qualified electrician that the work is complete. You should not grant a new tenancy until the defects are resolved. Ignoring an Unsatisfactory EICR is a breach of the Regulations.
Does an EICR cover portable appliances like kettles and toasters?
No. An EICR only covers the fixed electrical installation — wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, and permanently wired appliances like electric showers and cooker connections. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is a separate process. Landlords are not legally required to PAT test but should ensure any appliances they supply are safe.