Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR)

If you're a property owner, landlord, or even a tenant, you’ve probably heard about the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This is a key document that ensures the electrical systems in your property are safe, compliant with regulations, and not at risk of causing harm.

As someone who has gone through the process, I can tell you firsthand that getting an EICR isn't just about ticking a box—it's about peace of mind.

In this post, I'll explain what an EICR is, why it’s important, and share my own experience going through the process, so you know what to expect. Plus, we’ll break down some common questions with helpful tables to make things clearer.

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an official document that assesses the safety and overall condition of a building’s electrical installations. These installations include wiring, sockets, switches, fuse boards, and any other components that form part of the property's electrical system. The report is carried out by a qualified electrician, and its purpose is to identify any potential issues, damage, or non-compliance with current safety standards.

The key points of an EICR are:

• Inspection of all electrical installations in the property.

• Testing of the system to ensure it’s safe for use.

• Identification of defects or areas that don’t meet safety regulations.

• Recommendations for remedial action if needed.

  
  

Why is an EICR Important?

There are several reasons why an EICR is crucial:

1. Safety: Electrical faults can lead to fires or electric shocks, which can be life-threatening. An EICR ensures that all systems are safe to use.

2. Legal Requirement: For landlords in the UK, it is a legal requirement to have an up-to-date EICR for rental properties. As of July 2020, landlords must provide a valid EICR to new tenants before they move in, and existing tenancies must have one renewed every five years.

3. Peace of Mind: For homeowners, even though it’s not legally required, having an EICR gives peace of mind knowing that your home’s electrics are safe and compliant with current standards.

My Experience Getting an EICR

As a landlord, I had to arrange an EICR for my rental property, and the process was pretty straightforward but detailed. I contacted a local certified electrician, and the inspection took about half a day. The electrician went through each room, checking everything from the fuse box to individual sockets. They also ran tests to ensure that the electrical systems were functioning properly and safely.

One thing I learned is that the report doesn’t just highlight safety issues—it also identifies non-urgent improvements that could be made to bring the system up to the latest standards.

Luckily, my property passed with only minor recommendations, but I can imagine it being more stressful if there were significant repairs needed.

After the inspection, I received the EICR report within a few days. Here’s what it looked like and what you can expect to see on yours.

What’s Included in an EICR?

The EICR is a detailed document, and the key sections you’ll see include:

Section	What It Includes
Details of the Property	Address, type of property, and details about the age of the electrical system.
Summary of the Installation	Overview of the inspection, including the condition of the system.
Observations and Recommendations	A list of any defects, categorized by severity.
C1 - Danger Present	Immediate action required to make the system safe.
C2 - Potentially Dangerous	Action needed to address safety issues, but not an immediate risk.
C3 - Improvement Recommended	Not dangerous, but an upgrade to meet current standards is recommended.
Next Inspection Due	The recommended date for the next inspection (typically 5 years).

Table: Categories of Observations in an EICR

Code	Description	Action Required
C1	Danger present. Immediate action required	Must be repaired immediately for safety.
C2	Potentially dangerous	Urgent action is required but not an immediate risk.
C3	Improvement recommended	No immediate danger, but upgrading is suggested.
FI	Further investigation required	Something needs closer inspection to determine the risk.

What Happens After the EICR?

Once you’ve received your EICR, there are a few scenarios:

1. If the report is satisfactory (no C1 or C2 codes): Great news! No immediate action is needed. The report will state that your installation is satisfactory, and you can file it away for the next five years.

2. If the report identifies C1 or C2 codes: You will need to arrange for an electrician to carry out the necessary repairs to make the system safe. Once the repairs are completed, you will need to get a follow-up inspection or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, confirming that the issues have been fixed.

3. If C3 codes are present: These are not legally required, but it’s a good idea to consider the suggested improvements. For example, upgrading an old fuse box might help bring the property up to modern standards.

   
   

How Often Do You Need an EICR?

For rental properties, the law requires a valid EICR to be in place every 5 years or at the start of a new tenancy. For homeowners, it’s recommended to get an EICR every 10 years or when moving into a new property.

Table: EICR Frequency Guidelines

Property Type	Recommended Frequency	Legal Requirement?
Rental Property (UK)	Every 5 years or at the start of a new tenancy	Yes, for landlords (as of July 2020)
Owner-Occupied Home	Every 10 years	No, but strongly recommended
New Build Home	After 10 years from the date of the initial installation	No, but recommended
Commercial Property	Every 5 years (or less, depending on the usage)	Yes, in most cases

What Does an EICR Cost?

The cost of an EICR can vary depending on the size of the property, the complexity of the electrical system, and the location. In my case, for a two-bedroom flat, the EICR cost around £120. For larger properties or those with more complex electrical systems, the cost could go up to £200–£300.

Conclusion

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an essential part of maintaining property safety, especially for landlords, but it’s also highly recommended for homeowners. It provides a detailed assessment of the electrical system’s condition, identifies any urgent safety risks, and suggests improvements to bring your property in line with current safety standards.

From my experience, the process was straightforward, and the peace of mind it brought—knowing that my rental property was safe for tenants—was worth the time and cost. If you haven’t had an EICR done in a while (or ever), it’s definitely worth booking an inspection to ensure everything is up to standard.