This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Every private landlord in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for each rented property. The requirement has been in force since 1 June 2020 for new tenancies and 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
An EICR costs between £150 and £300, lasts five years, and must be carried out by a qualified and competent person. Failing to comply risks a civil penalty of up to £30,000 (increasing to £40,000 from 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act).
Who must comply
The regulations apply to all private landlords in England letting residential property on an assured shorthold tenancy (now assured periodic tenancy under the RRA), a licence to occupy, or a statutory periodic tenancy. HMOs are included, and the requirement applies per property, not per tenancy.
Social housing tenancies and lodger arrangements in the landlord's own home are excluded.
What the EICR covers
An EICR is an inspection of the fixed electrical installation in the property: the consumer unit (fuse box), wiring, sockets, light fittings, and fixed appliances. It does not cover portable appliances (kettles, toasters, lamps), which are subject to separate PAT testing requirements.
The electrician inspects the installation against BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and classifies any defects using a coding system:
| Code | Meaning | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Immediate remediation |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remediation within 28 days |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Advisory, not mandatory |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Investigation within 28 days |
A report graded "satisfactory" means no C1 or C2 defects were found. An "unsatisfactory" report means at least one C1 or C2 defect exists and must be fixed.
Remediation deadlines
If the EICR identifies C1 or C2 defects, the landlord must arrange for the defects to be fixed within 28 days (or sooner if specified by the inspector). After remediation, the electrician must provide written confirmation that the work has been completed satisfactorily.
The landlord must supply this confirmation to the tenant and the local authority (if requested) within 28 days of completion.
Providing copies
According to GOV.UK guidance, landlords must provide a copy of the most recent EICR to:
Existing tenants: within 28 days of the inspection. New tenants: before they occupy the property. The local authority: within seven days of a request. Prospective tenants: within 28 days of a request.
Who can carry out an EICR
The inspection must be conducted by a person who is qualified and competent. In practice, this means an electrician registered with a competent person scheme: NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or the BRE Certification scheme.
An unregistered electrician or a general handyman cannot produce a valid EICR. Check registration status before booking.
Costs
Typical EICR costs in England:
| Property type | Cost range |
|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £120 to £180 |
| 2-3 bed house | £150 to £250 |
| 4-5 bed house / HMO | £200 to £350 |
These figures are exclusive of VAT. Remediation work is charged separately, and costs vary depending on the defects found. A consumer unit upgrade (common in older properties) typically costs £300 to £600.
Enforcement and penalties
Local authorities enforce the regulations. If a landlord fails to provide a valid EICR or fails to remediate identified defects, the local authority can:
Issue a remedial notice requiring compliance within 28 days. Carry out remedial works themselves and recover costs from the landlord. Issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per breach (rising to £40,000 from 1 May 2026).
Repeated failures or wilful non-compliance can result in criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine.
The regulations also interact with the deposit protection and possession frameworks. An outstanding electrical safety breach may affect your ability to pursue possession through the courts.
Practical tips
Book the EICR well before the five-year expiry. Electricians are busy, and delays can leave you non-compliant. Address C3 (advisory) observations when they arise, even though they are not mandatory. A C3 can become a C2 or C1 over time, and fixing minor issues now is cheaper than emergency work later. Keep copies of every EICR and remediation certificate in your property file. If your consumer unit predates 2016, it may lack RCD protection. This will likely trigger a C2 observation and require an upgrade. Budget £300 to £600 for the consumer unit replacement.
Sources
- GOV.UK, "Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector". https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities [Accessed 6 May 2026]
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/contents [Accessed 6 May 2026]