EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report

Since 1 July 2020, all England landlords must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for every rented property. The EICR must be carried out by a qualified electrician every 5 years (or sooner if the report recommends it). Landlords must give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in. Reviewed March 2026.

What the rule is

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require every landlord letting a residential property in England to:

• Have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years
• Ensure the installation is maintained in a satisfactory condition
• Provide a copy of the EICR to tenants and, if requested, to their local authority

When it applies

The requirement applies to all private residential tenancies in England including new tenancies and renewals. From 1 April 2021, it applied to all existing tenancies as well. There is no exemption for older properties.

What landlords must do

• Arrange an EICR with a qualified, registered electrician before letting or before the current report expires
• Receive the report with an overall assessment of the electrical installation
• Any C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) codes must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies — it may require a shorter timescale)
• Give a copy to all existing tenants within 28 days of receiving the report
• Give a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Provide a copy to your local authority within 7 days if requested

What evidence to keep

• The full EICR document (usually several pages) as a PDF
• Evidence of remedial works completed (if C1/C2 codes were found)
• Written confirmation from the electrician that C1/C2 codes have been resolved
• Date of next required inspection (as specified in the report)
• Records of how and when the report was provided to each tenant

Common mistakes

• Providing only the summary page — give tenants the full report, not just the first page
• Missing the remediation window — C1/C2 codes must be fixed within 28 days, not at the next convenient appointment
• Using an unregistered electrician — use someone from NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT to ensure competence
• Forgetting to re-serve on renewal — if the EICR is renewed during a tenancy, give the new report to existing tenants within 28 days
• No record of service — always log the date and method you gave the EICR to each tenant

FAQ

How often must an EICR be carried out? At least every 5 years. The report itself may specify a shorter interval depending on the condition of the installation.

Who can carry out an EICR? A competent, qualified electrician. Look for membership of a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT.

What do the EICR codes mean? C1 = Danger present (immediate action required). C2 = Potentially dangerous (urgent action required). C3 = Improvement recommended (action not required to pass). FI = Further investigation needed. Satisfactory = No issues requiring action.

What if C1 or C2 codes are found? Remedial works must be completed within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). You must provide tenants with written confirmation that the works have been completed.

Can I use an EICR from before I bought the property? Only if it is less than 5 years old and meets current standards. In practice, it is usually advisable to commission a new EICR when acquiring a property.

What if a tenant refuses access? You must be able to demonstrate you took all reasonable steps to gain access. Document all attempts to arrange the inspection in writing.