What is an EICR?

An EICR is the document issued, following an in-depth inspection and test to check the condition of the electrical installation (electrical sockets, switches, wiring and consumer units etc) in a property against the national safety standard for electrical installations BS7671. It also identifies any potential safety issues. (It is an MOT for properties).

The checks must be carried out by an electrician qualified specifically in the Periodic Inspection and Testing of electrical installations, and the EICR issued by them. If passed ‘satisfactory’ the electrics in the property can continue to be used as they are. If the property fails ‘unsatisfactory’ then the faults will be listed on the report, along with an explanation of why that electrical system failed the EICR. 

The faults will also be graded:

• C1 means ‘danger is present’, risk of injury is likely and IMMEDIATE action is required. These will be made safe before leaving the property and arrangements made to return to correct them.
• C2 means ‘potentially dangerous’ and remedial action is needed urgently, which will be quoted for.
• C3 means ‘improvement to your electrical system is recommended’, but not required because it’s regarded as safe. It’s the only code that can appear on a ‘satisfactory’ EICR report.
• FI means an ‘issue or defect has been found’ but cannot be traced such as a circuit that cannot be identified. This would need addressing before a ‘satisfactory’ outcome can be achieved.

What is tested?

The electrical installation will be sampled as per guidance in the BS7671 wiring regulations and will check that:

• Your fuse board/consumer unit is safe and compliant with the current regulations.
• Everything is correctly earthed – to prevent potentially fatal electric shock.
• The wiring in your sockets, lights, switches and accessories is installed correctly.

What if there’s an issue?

If the report flags up any issues with the electrical condition of your property, you must rectify these ASAP, to ensure the safety of your tenants.

Any remedial work should be carried out by a qualified electrician to bring the property up to a ‘satisfactory’ standard. You will be issued with either an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate and also, where required, a Part P Compliance Certificate stating that the remedial works have been completed. This provides written evidence that the required ‘satisfactory’ standards have now been met. Once you have this evidence in writing, you should provide it to your tenants as proof that the property is now safe, and meeting all of the appropriate requirements.

By law you have up to 28 days to get any remedial work under way following an ‘unsatisfactory’ outcome in a rented property. 

Is an EICR a legal requirement?

Following a change to the law in 2020, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 states that it is now a legal requirement for all rented properties in England to have a valid satisfactory Electrical Condition report in place from July 1st 2020 at the start of a new tenancy.

Just as you would a gas safety check, you must ensure that your property has undergone a complete inspection, by a qualified electrician, and the relevant paperwork is supplied to all of your new tenants before they occupy the property.  Once complete, the EICR is valid for a maximum of five years. This is subject to the outcome of testing. In some cases a shorter interval such as 1,2 or 3 years may be given as further testing may be required to ensure that the electrics haven’t deteriorated any further particularly when a reading is close to that given in the BS7671 wiring regulations. The EICR can be supplied to subsequent tenants and there is no need to have a new check at the start of each new tenancy (within the five years validity window). The Landlord/Landlords agent should visually inspect the property for signs of damage to any switches, sockets etc between tenancies.

As of April 1st 2021, the rules apply to all tenancies, new or existing. If you have existing tenants, you must still ensure that you carry out an EICR check with a ‘satisfactory’ outcome. This document and any relating to remedial works completed should be supplied to them within 28 days of the check being completed.