EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. Here is what it covers, who legally needs one, and what the consequences are of not having it.
EICR comes up regularly in conversations about property, particularly if you are a landlord or if you have recently bought or sold a home. But despite how often the
term is used, a lot of people are not entirely sure what the inspection actually covers,what the report tells you, or what the real-world consequences are of not having one.
Here is a clear explanation of all three.
What EICR stands for and what it covers
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a formal document produced by a qualified electrician after a thorough assessment of a property's fixed electrical installation. That covers all of the wiring in the building, the consumer unit (fuse board), sockets, light fittings, switches, earthing arrangements, and every
circuit that forms part of the permanent installation.
It is worth being clear about what it does not cover. An EICR is not the same as a PAT test, which only applies to portable appliances such as kettles, toasters, and
washing machines. An EICR assesses what is built in and fixed. Both may be relevant in a rental property context, but they are separate inspections.
Who is legally required to have one?
Landlords in England are required by law to have an EICR for every rental property, renewed at least every five years. This has applied to private landlords since 2021
and was extended to social housing landlords from late 2025.
Homeowners are not legally required to have one. However, it is strongly recommended, particularly when buying a property, after significant electrical work
has been carried out, or if the property is more than 25 years old and has never been inspected. An EICR gives you an independent, professional assessment of whether
your installation is safe.
What the electrician actually checks
The inspection covers every part of the fixed installation. The electrician will assess the condition and age of the consumer unit and its protective devices, check that all
circuits are correctly identified and rated, test earthing and bonding throughout the property, inspect sockets, switches, and light fittings for damage or deterioration, and
verify that RCD protection is in place and functioning correctly.
At the end, the electrician assigns condition codes to anything that has been identified as a concern. C1 means immediate danger. C2 means potential danger
requiring work within 28 days. C3 is a recommendation for improvement. FI means further investigation is needed before a definitive assessment can be made.
How long does it take?
For a typical two or three-bedroom property, an EICR takes around two to four hours. Larger homes or properties with older, more complex wiring can take longer.
The electricity supply will be off temporarily while certain tests are carried out. Your electrician will let you know in advance what to expect.
What are the consequences of not having one?
For landlords, the stakes are clear. Councils can issue fines of up to £40,000 for non-compliance, and a failure to act on a failed inspection carries significant legal
and financial risk. Insurance cover can also be affected; if an electrical incident occurs in a property without a valid EICR, an insurer may decline to pay out.
For homeowners, the risk is less about legal penalties and more about safety.
Electrical faults are among the leading causes of house fires in the UK, and many of those faults develop gradually over time — exactly the kind of thing a periodic
inspection is designed to catch.
Ready to arrange one?
I cover Blunham and the wider Bedfordshire area. If you need an EICR for a rental property, for a home purchase, or simply because you cannot remember when the
last one was done, get in touch, and we will get something arranged.
