- July 10, 2026
- By
- Blog
A tenant reports that the kitchen sockets keep tripping, or you notice a cracked faceplate during a property visit. Those are the moments when an electrical installation condition report EICR for landlords stops being paperwork and becomes what it should be: a clear check on whether the fixed electrics in a rental home are safe to use.
For landlords, an EICR is a practical part of looking after a property, protecting tenants and meeting electrical safety duties. It identifies wear, damage, outdated work and faults that may not be obvious day to day, before they become an emergency call-out, a failed tenancy inspection or, more seriously, a risk of electric shock or fire.
What is an EICR for landlords?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, usually shortened to EICR, is a formal inspection and test of a property’s fixed electrical installation. This includes the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, lights, fixed appliances where applicable, earthing and bonding.
It does not test every portable item a tenant owns. Kettles, televisions and chargers are not part of an EICR. Nor is it simply a quick visual look around the property. A competent electrician carries out dead and live testing, checks protective devices and examines accessible parts of the installation against the requirements of BS 7671, commonly known as the IET Wiring Regulations.
The result is a written report that records the condition of the installation, any observations found and whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory overall. It gives landlords a reliable basis for repairs, upgrades and future maintenance rather than guesswork.
When does a landlord need an electrical installation condition report EICR?
For most privately rented homes, the fixed electrical installation must be inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years. A new report may also be needed sooner if the existing report recommends it, after significant electrical work, or where there is a reason to believe the installation has been damaged or deteriorated.
In England, private landlords must provide a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, and to the local authority within seven days if requested. Keep a copy safely too – it helps demonstrate that you have acted responsibly and provides a useful record for the next inspection.
Landlords in Wales also have electrical safety responsibilities under the Renting Homes framework. A current EICR, completed at intervals of no more than five years, is generally the expected evidence that the electrical installation has been checked. Requirements can depend on the tenancy and property, so do not leave compliance until a tenant, agent or council asks for the paperwork.
Five years is a maximum interval, not a promise that nothing can go wrong in between. If a tenant reports burning smells, a buzzing consumer unit, repeated tripping, shocks from fittings, loose sockets or water damage near electrics, arrange an inspection promptly. For an immediate danger, isolate the affected circuit if it is safe to do so and call an emergency electrician.
What happens during the inspection?
A proper EICR begins with a visual assessment. The electrician checks for obvious concerns such as damaged accessories, unsuitable alterations, signs of overheating, exposed cables, missing blanks in the consumer unit and inadequate earthing arrangements.
Testing follows. Some circuits may need to be switched off for short periods while readings are taken, so tenants should be told in advance that there may be limited disruption. In an occupied property, access to every room, the consumer unit, meters and relevant outbuildings is essential. A locked cupboard or inaccessible consumer unit can limit what can be inspected and may affect the report.
The time required depends on the size and age of the property, how many circuits it has and the condition of the installation. A modern one-bedroom flat will usually be more straightforward than a larger, older house with extensions, a garage supply, outdoor lighting and years of alterations. A rushed inspection is rarely good value if it leaves important questions unanswered.
Understanding EICR observations and codes
The report may contain observations with classification codes. These make it clear which issues need action and which are recommendations for improvement.
A C1 observation means danger is present. Immediate action is required, and the electrician may make the area safe with your authority. A C2 means potentially dangerous – urgent remedial work is needed. FI means further investigation is required because the inspector cannot confirm safety without additional checks. Any C1, C2 or FI observation will normally make the report unsatisfactory.
A C3 is different. It means improvement is recommended, but it does not automatically make the report unsatisfactory. For example, an older installation may not meet every feature of the latest edition of BS 7671 while still being safe for continued use. This is why an EICR is not a demand to replace everything that is not brand new.
That distinction matters for landlords managing costs. Safety defects must be dealt with promptly, while C3 items can be planned sensibly where appropriate. A good electrician will explain the reason for each observation in plain English, rather than presenting a list of codes without context.
What if the report is unsatisfactory?
An unsatisfactory report is not something to file away and revisit at the next tenancy. It means remedial work is required to make the installation safe. The report will identify the observations, and it may state a timescale for completing the work. In England, landlords generally need to ensure necessary remedial work or further investigation is completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies.
Once work is complete, obtain written confirmation that the issues have been addressed or investigated. Give that confirmation, together with the original report where required, to tenants and the local authority if it has requested it.
The repair may be relatively small, such as replacing a damaged socket or correcting a fault on one circuit. In other cases, the findings may point to a consumer unit upgrade, replacement of deteriorated wiring or more extensive remedial work. It depends on the installation – an unsatisfactory EICR does not automatically mean a full rewire is necessary.
Avoiding delays, disruption and surprise costs
The easiest way to manage an EICR is to book it before the current report expires, rather than trying to arrange access at the last minute. Give tenants clear notice, explain that the appointment is a safety inspection, and ask them to make the consumer unit and sockets accessible where possible.
Before booking, tell the electrician about any known issues: circuits that trip, recent water leaks, electric showers, garden supplies, extensions, solar equipment or previous alterations. This helps the inspection be planned properly and reduces the chance of an avoidable return visit.
Pricing should be clear from the outset. The cost of an EICR varies with the property type, number of circuits, access arrangements and whether remedial work is needed. Be cautious of a very low headline price that does not explain what is included or charges unexpectedly for essential testing. The report itself and any repairs should be itemised clearly, so you can make informed decisions for the property.
Choose a competent local electrician
An EICR is only as useful as the inspection behind it. Use an electrician with the competence, test equipment and practical experience to inspect rental properties properly. They should work to current BS 7671 requirements, provide a clear report and be willing to talk you through the findings without unnecessary jargon.
Gerrard’s Electrical Solutions provides landlord EICRs across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston, the Wirral, Cheshire, North Wales and the wider North West, with straightforward advice on any remedial work required. Where a fault is found, the priority is to make the property safe and give you a clear, honest view of the next step.
A current EICR gives you more than a date in the diary. It gives tenants confidence that their home has been properly checked and gives you a clear opportunity to deal with electrical problems before they become more disruptive, more expensive or more dangerous.