What does EICR stand for, and what is it?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a thorough inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in a property: the consumer unit (fuse board), the wiring, the sockets, switches, and accessories.
A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation, then issues a report stating whether it is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, with codes against any problems found. It is sometimes informally called a fixed wire test, a periodic inspection, or an electrical safety certificate.
What do the EICR codes mean?
The report uses standard codes so the result is unambiguous: - C1: Danger present. A risk of injury exists and immediate action is required. - C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work is needed. - C3: Improvement recommended. Not dangerous, but worth addressing. - FI: Further investigation required.
An installation with any C1 or C2 (or FI) code is classed as unsatisfactory and needs remedial work to pass. A report with only C3 items is satisfactory, though the C3 items are still worth attending to.
How often do you need an EICR?
It depends on who you are and the property type: - Private landlords in England must have a valid EICR at least every five years, and at the start of a new tenancy where the existing report is older than that. - Homeowners are not legally required to have one, but the general recommendation is at least every ten years, or sooner if you are buying a property, the electrics are old, or you have had problems. - Some property types and uses have shorter intervals.
Electrical safety rules differ across England, Scotland, and Wales, so if you let property we confirm exactly what applies to you.
What are a landlord's EICR obligations?
In England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations require private landlords to: - Have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years. - Obtain a report (the EICR) and supply a copy to tenants, and to a prospective tenant or the local authority on request, within the stated time limits. - Carry out any required remedial work and obtain confirmation it has been done.
Failure to comply can lead to local authority enforcement and significant financial penalties, so it is not something to leave to chance.
What affects the cost of an EICR?
An EICR is priced per property, and the main factors are: - The size of the property and the number of circuits and boards to test. - The age and accessibility of the installation. - Whether it is occupied and furnished, which affects access to sockets and accessories.
We quote the inspection itself clearly, and if remedial work is needed we explain and price that separately so you can decide. Every quote is in writing with no surprises.
What happens if my property fails an EICR?
An unsatisfactory result is not a disaster; it simply means specific items coded C1, C2, or FI need attention. We explain exactly what was found, why it matters, and what the remedial work involves. Once the work is done and verified, the installation can be confirmed as satisfactory. For landlords, this is the documentation you need to meet your legal duty.