An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an essential document that verifies the safety and compliance of the fixed wiring in a property. Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner, or business owner, understanding when and why you need one is vital — not only for safety, but to stay within the law.
🔍 What Is an EICR?
An EICR is a formal inspection report carried out by a qualified electrician or approved contractor. It assesses the condition of your electrical installations — things like sockets, wiring, consumer units (fuse boxes), and switches — and checks they are safe to use and meet current UK standards (BS 7671:2018 + A2:2022).
🏠 Do Homeowners Need an EICR?
It’s not a legal requirement for homeowners to have an EICR, but it is strongly recommended:
- Every 10 years in a privately owned home
- When selling your property (buyers often request it)
- If you’ve recently purchased an older property
- After major renovations or electrical work
Regular checks can uncover issues like overloaded circuits, damaged cabling, or outdated components that could pose a fire or shock risk.
🏢 Do Landlords Need an EICR?
Yes — it is a legal requirement under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
What’s Required:
- A valid EICR every 5 years
- Report must be provided to new tenants before they move in
- Existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection
- Local authorities may request it — landlords must supply it within 7 days
Landlords who fail to comply can face fines of up to £30,000.
🏗️ What Happens During an EICR?
An electrician will:
- Inspect the condition of wiring, sockets, light fittings, consumer units, and bonding/earthing
- Test for faults such as overloaded circuits, loose connections, or degraded insulation
- Identify any installations that don’t meet current regulations
- Provide a coded report:
- C1 – Danger present (Immediate action required)
- C2 – Potentially dangerous (Urgent improvement recommended)
- C3 – Improvement recommended (Not dangerous but worth addressing)
- FI – Further investigation required
If C1 or C2 faults are found, remedial work must be carried out, and a Satisfactory certificate issued once completed.
⚙️ Who Can Carry Out an EICR?
Only a qualified and competent electrician can perform an EICR. Look for a contractor registered with:
- NICEIC
- NAPIT
- ELECSA
- Stroma
UK Wiring Ltd is fully qualified and certified to carry out EICRs to the latest standards.
💬 Need an EICR? We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re a landlord staying compliant or a homeowner wanting peace of mind, our qualified engineers can carry out a fast, reliable EICR and advise on any next steps if improvements are needed.
📞 Contact us today to book your EICR or get expert advice on staying electrically safe and legally compliant.