EICR: electrical safety certificates for private landlords
Legal basis: Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. From 1 November 2025, the maximum penalty for non-compliance is £40,000 per breach.
The five-year inspection requirement
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords of private rented homes in England must ensure that the electrical installations in their properties are inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The result is documented in an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
The regulations came into force for new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and for all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. If your EICR was first issued in 2020 or 2021, it is likely due for renewal now.
What the EICR covers
The EICR is a detailed inspection of the fixed electrical installations in a property. This includes:
- The consumer unit (fuse box) and its components
- Fixed wiring throughout the property
- Socket outlets, light fittings and switches (as fixed installations)
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
- Any electrical equipment provided by the landlord as part of the tenancy
The inspector assigns one of three outcome codes to each item: C1 (danger present, immediate action required), C2 (potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required), or C3 (improvement recommended). An EICR is only "satisfactory" if there are no C1 or C2 codes.
When to give it to tenants
- New tenants: Before they occupy the property
- Existing tenants: Within 28 days of the inspection being carried out
- Local authority on request: Within 7 days of a request from the local housing authority
- Prospective tenants who request it: Within 28 days of the request
What to do if the EICR is unsatisfactory
If the EICR contains C1 or C2 codes, you must carry out the remedial work within 28 days of the inspection — or sooner if the inspector specifies a shorter timescale for a C1 finding. Once the work is done, you must obtain written confirmation from the electrician who carried out the remedial work, and provide a copy to the tenant within 28 days of the original report.
Do not ignore C1 or C2 findings. Failing to carry out remedial work within 28 days is a breach of the regulations and can result in a fine of up to £40,000. More significantly, if a tenant is harmed by an electrical fault you knew about and did not fix, your liability exposure is substantial.
Penalties for non-compliance
Local housing authorities are responsible for enforcement. They can serve remedial notices requiring landlords to commission an EICR or carry out remedial works. If a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice, the authority can arrange the work itself and recover the cost from the landlord.
Civil penalties of up to £40,000 can be issued for breaches of the regulations. From 1 November 2025, the penalty cap was raised from £30,000 to £40,000 under the Renters' Rights Act.
Who can carry out the inspection
The regulations require the inspection to be carried out by a "qualified person." In practice, this means a registered electrician. You should use someone registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA. Always check registration before instructing.
Keep a copy of the EICR, your proof of service to the tenant, and any electrician's completion certificate for remedial works. If you face enforcement action, these documents are your defence.