EICR explained: what landlords need to know

If you rent out a house or flat, keeping the electrics safe is one of your core responsibilities. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal check that shows whether the wiring, sockets and fixed equipment meet the safety standard. This guide walks you through what an EICR is, why it matters, how often you need one and what to do with the result.

What is an EICR?

An EICR is a detailed inspection of the electrical installation in a rental property. A qualified electrician examines the consumer unit (fuse board), wiring, sockets, switches and any fixed equipment such as electric showers or storage heaters. They look for signs of wear, damage, overloading or anything that could cause a shock or fire risk. After the visit they issue a report that classifies each observation as:

• C1 – danger present, immediate action required
• C2 – potentially dangerous, urgent action needed
• C3 – improvement recommended (no immediate danger)
• FI – further investigation required

If the inspector records no C1 or C2 items, the installation is deemed satisfactory for continued use.

Why landlords need one

In England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. The regulation applies to most private rented homes, including houses, flats and rooms let on a tenancy agreement. You must provide a copy of the latest EICR to your existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to any new tenant before they move in. Keeping a valid report helps you demonstrate that you are meeting your legal duty to keep the property safe.

How often is it required?

The rule states a maximum interval of five years between inspections. However, you may need to test sooner if:

• The previous report recorded C1 or C2 issues that have not been fixed
• You have reason to believe the installation has been altered or damaged
• You are changing tenants and the existing report is older than five years

For newer installations or those that have recently been upgraded, some landlords choose to test more frequently for peace of mind, but the legal minimum remains five years.

What happens during the inspection?

The engineer will need access to the consumer unit and all accessible sockets, switches and fixed appliances. They will turn off circuits safely to test them, so you should expect a short interruption to power while they work. The visit usually takes a few hours for an average-sized property, depending on its size and complexity. The engineer will note any observations and, if safe to do so, will leave the installation in a working state before they leave.

Understanding the report

Once the inspection is complete, you will receive a PDF or paper copy of the EICR. Focus first on any C1 or C2 codes – these require remedial work. C3 items are advisory; fixing them is good practice but not mandatory for compliance. FI means the engineer needs more information, perhaps to check a concealed part of the wiring, and you should arrange that follow‑up promptly.

Keep the report in a safe place (digital or paper) and make sure you can produce it if requested by your local council or a tenant.

What to do if issues are found

If the report shows C1 or C2 problems, you must arrange for a qualified electrician to carry out the necessary repairs as soon as possible. After the work is done, you should obtain a completion certificate or an updated EICR confirming that the dangers have been resolved. Only then can you consider the installation satisfactory for the next five‑year period.

For C3 recommendations, you can schedule the improvements at a convenient time, perhaps alongside other maintenance work.

How to book an EICR through RentalComply

Finding a reliable, verified engineer is straightforward with RentalComply. Enter your postcode, compare local professionals by price and customer reviews, choose a time slot that suits you and pay online. The engineer visits, carries out the inspection and uploads the report to your dashboard for easy access and sharing with tenants.

Ready to stay compliant and keep your property safe? Book your EICR today or learn how it works on our site.