Electrical Safety (EICR) — Landlord Requirements

Since 1 July 2020, all landlords in England have been required to ensure the electrical installation in their rented properties is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.

The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced by a qualified electrician following an inspection of your property’s fixed wiring — the consumer unit (fuse board), circuit breakers, sockets, light fittings, and all fixed electrical installations. The report grades any issues as:

• C1 — Danger present: Immediate action required
• C2 — Potentially dangerous: Urgent remedial action required
• C3 — Improvement recommended: Not required for compliance but advisable
• FI — Further investigation required: Must be investigated before EICR can be completed

Any C1 or C2 observations must be remedied within 28 days (or sooner if specified in the report). Once remedied, you should obtain written confirmation from the electrician.

Distribution Requirements

Once you have a satisfactory EICR, you must provide a copy to:

• New tenants before they occupy the property
• Existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Your local authority within 7 days of a written request
• A new prospective tenant within 28 days of their request

The Five-Year Rule and More Frequent Checks

EICRs must be carried out at least every five years. However, the report itself may recommend more frequent inspections for older installations. Always follow the period stated on the report — if it says three years, the five-year rule does not apply. For HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), the requirement has been in place since 2007 and some licensing conditions may specify shorter inspection intervals.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Local authorities can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for each breach of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Ensuring your EICR is current and that any remedial work has been completed is therefore both a legal requirement and a significant financial risk management issue.

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)

While there is no specific legal requirement to PAT test portable appliances (kettles, microwaves, washing machines etc.) in residential lettings, you have a general duty of care. It is good practice to test appliances you provide with the tenancy, particularly at the start of a new let. Many landlords combine PAT testing with the EICR inspection.