EICR - What you need to know

Landlords in England must ensure electrical installations in rented properties are inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years under the Regulations. Propertymark+3GOV.UK+3GOV.UK+3 The inspection produces an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which must show whether the installation is safe, identify any required remedial work, and set a date for the next inspection. GOV.UK+2GOV.UK+2 After the inspection and testing, landlords must supply a copy of the EICR to any new tenant before they occupy the premises, provide existing tenants with a copy within 28 days of the inspection, and must submit a copy to the local housing authority within 7 days if requested. GOV.UK+1 If the report identifies Code C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) or an “FI” (further investigation) condition, the landlord must ensure remedial work or further investigation is carried out — usually within 28 days or sooner if indicated. GOV.UK Landlords must retain a copy of the EICR report until the next inspection is due and must ensure inspections continue to be carried out at the required intervals. NRLA+1 Failure to comply with these duties can result in significant enforcement action including civil penalties — fines have been increased, for example a maximum penalty of up to £40,000 is now possible for breaches of the electrical safety duty. NRLA+2NRLA+2 From November 2025 changes are expected that expand the scope of inspections, tighten reporting requirements and increase enforcement. SRP Inventories+1 Landlords should check that the person carrying out the EICR is competent and registered with a recognised scheme (such as NICEIC, NAPIT) to ensure the inspection meets the required standard. GOV.UK+1 The regulations apply to all private rented tenancies in England from 1 July 2020 for new lets and from 1 April 2021 for existing lets — meaning many properties require their next inspection by 2025 or sooner. GOV.UK+1 While the five‑year interval is the standard, reports may recommend shorter intervals; landlords should follow those recommendations or obtain professional advice. Reddit In addition to the inspection interval, landlords must ensure electrical installations remain in a safe condition throughout the tenancy — not just at inspection time — and respond promptly to tenant concerns or defects. GOV.UK To stay compliant, landlords should audit their portfolios now, book inspections where due, retain accurate records of all reports, remedial works and evidence for next inspection, and have a system in place to track expiry dates and schedule future inspections.