EICRs for landlords in England
Private landlords in England must have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so. The result is usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Any C1, C2 or FI item must be put right within 28 days, and the council can fine you up to £40,000 for a breach. Source: GOV.UK electrical safety standards guidance.
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 say the fixed electrical installation must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years. The report sets the date of the next inspection, and if that date is sooner than 5 years, the earlier date applies (GOV.UK guidance, section 3).
The installation must meet the standards in the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, published as British Standard 7671. The inspection must be done by a qualified person, meaning someone competent to carry out the inspection and testing. GOV.UK links to industry registers to help you find one.
Our free certificate renewal date calculator works out the next due date from your current report.
When you might need one sooner, or not at all yet
- The report gives an earlier date. Follow the date on the report.
- New build or full rewire. The property should have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). You won't need another check or report until 5 years after the EIC was issued, as long as you have met your other duties (GOV.UK guidance, section 8).
- A new tenancy. You don't need a fresh inspection before re-letting if you have a valid report with no outstanding work. GOV.UK recommends a visual check between tenancies.
- You have concerns. You can arrange an inspection earlier than 5 years at any time.
What do C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?
| Code | Meaning | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. Risk of injury. The electrician may make it safe before leaving. | Remedial work is required within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. The report will say the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. | Remedial work is required within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. The report will say the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use. |
| FI | Further investigation required without delay. | Have the investigation done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, and fix anything it finds. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended. | Not required. The report can still be satisfactory, but the work would make the installation safer. |
Source: GOV.UK electrical safety standards guidance, section 3.
Repairs and the 28-day rule
If the report shows remedial work or further investigation is needed, you must have it done by a qualified person within 28 days, or any shorter period the report says is necessary (GOV.UK guidance, section 3).
Within 28 days of the work being finished, you must give your tenant and the council:
- written confirmation from the qualified person that the work has been done and that either the standards are now met or more investigation or remedial work is needed (regulation 3)
- a copy of the original report that asked for the work
GOV.UK says acceptable confirmation includes a satisfactory EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) or other appropriate electrical certification.
If you don't do required work, the council can arrange it and recover the cost from you. If a tenant won't give access, you won't be in breach just because you haven't gone to court, but you should be able to show you took reasonable steps, such as keeping a record of your messages.
Who gets a copy of the EICR?
According to the GOV.UK guidance, you must give a copy of the report:
- to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection
- to a new tenant before they move in
- to a prospective tenant within 28 days of them asking for it
- to the council within 7 days of a request
- to the person doing the next inspection
Keep your own copy until the next inspection is due or has been done.
HMOs, lodgers and holiday lets
- HMOs: the regulations apply to homes shared by people from more than one household, including HMOs (GOV.UK guidance, section 8). If your HMO is licensed, the council can also ask for safety certificates for electrical appliances (GOV.UK HMO licences). See HMO landlords.
- Lodgers: the regulations don't apply to a tenancy where the occupier shares any accommodation with the landlord or a member of the landlord's family (Schedule 1, paragraph 2 of the 2020 Regulations). The smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations have the same exclusion (Schedule, paragraph 1 of the 2015 Regulations). You must still keep your home safe, and the yearly gas safety check does still apply to lodgers. See renting a room and our gas safety certificate guide.
- Holiday lets: the regulations cover tenancies and licences where the occupier lives in the property as their only or main residence and pays rent (GOV.UK guidance, section 2). Whether a short stay meets that test depends on the facts, so check with your council if you're unsure. See holiday lets.
Other exclusions include long leases of 7 years or more, student halls, hostels and refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices, and mobile homes, caravans and boats (Schedule 1).
How much does an EICR cost?
GOV.UK doesn't publish a typical cost. The price depends on the size and age of the installation, the number of circuits and where you are. Get quotes from two or three qualified electricians, and check they are on one of the registers GOV.UK links to in section 8 of its guidance. Remedial work is priced separately.
Penalties
If the council is satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, that you have breached the regulations, it can impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000 (regulation 11). The limit was £30,000 when the regulations were made (regulation 11 as made) and was raised to £40,000 by amending regulations that took effect from 1 November 2025, so older articles may quote the lower figure. You have 28 days to make written representations to the council, and you can then appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (GOV.UK guidance).
BeCert sends reminders for each certificate, including your EICR, and the free compliance checker shows which checks apply to your property.