Landlord Electrical Duties and the Five-Year EICR

The cycle and the paperwork

Inspection is on a five-year cycle at most, or more frequently where the report specifies. A copy of the report goes to existing tenants and to new tenants before occupation, and to the local authority on request.

• Inspection at intervals of no more than five years
• Report supplied to tenants and, on request, the local authority
• C1, C2 and FI items remedied within the required timescale
• Written confirmation that remedial work is complete

Between tenancies is the easy window

Void periods are the least disruptive time to inspect and to carry out any remedial work, because the supply can be off without inconveniencing anyone. If you manage several properties, tell us the void dates and we will work to them.

What tends to get coded

Missing RCD protection, undersized or absent bonding, older rewireable boards, and DIY alterations by previous occupants. None of these are unusual, and all of them are quotable as a defined package rather than an open-ended job.

What the codes mean

Understanding the codes stops the report reading as one long list of problems.

• C1, danger present, requiring immediate action
• C2, potentially dangerous, requiring urgent remedial work
• C3, improvement recommended, which does not make a report unsatisfactory
• FI, further investigation required without delay

Landlord duties in England

Regulations for privately rented properties in England require the electrical installation to be inspected and tested at intervals of no more than five years, with a copy of the report provided to tenants and to the local authority on request. Shorter intervals can be specified by the inspector. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements, so check the rules that apply where the property is.

What happens on the day

Expect the power to be off in stages while circuits are tested. Access to the consumer unit, loft hatch and every room is needed, and a sensible proportion of accessories is opened up for inspection. A typical domestic EICR takes several hours.

For owner occupiers and buyers

There is no legal requirement, but a report before buying, before a renovation or before letting tells you what you are inheriting. It is also the sanest way to price remedial work rather than guessing at a rewire.

Common questions

Do I need a separate certificate for each flat?

Each dwelling's installation needs its own report.

What if the tenant refuses access?

Document your attempts. Reasonable steps to gain access is the expected standard.

Can you do the remedial work too?

Yes, quoted item by item so you can see what is mandatory and what is a recommendation.

How quickly can you turn a report around?

The report is normally with you within a working day or two of the inspection.

How often should an owner occupier get one?

Commonly recommended around every ten years for an owner occupied home, or on change of occupancy, though condition can justify sooner.

Does an unsatisfactory report mean a rewire?

Rarely. Most unsatisfactory outcomes come down to a handful of specific items that can be put right.

Do you carry out the remedial work?

Yes, and we quote it clearly so you can compare, or take the report elsewhere if you prefer.

Is an EICR the same as a certificate for new work?

No. New work is covered by an Electrical Installation Certificate. An EICR reports on the condition of what is already there.

Related guides

• What Happens During an EICRAn EICR is a structured assessment, not a look around — and knowing the routine makes the day easier.
• EICR Codes C1, C2, C3 and FI ExplainedFour codes decide whether your report is satisfactory and what you must do next.
• Electrical Work in Flats and MaisonettesIn a flat, the boundary between your installation and the building's is the first thing to establish.