EICR and Landlord Obligations: What Landlords Need to Know

As a landlord, you’re legally required to ensure rental properties are electrically safe. That means an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) every 5 years, remedial work on any faults, and proof to your tenants. Ignore it and you face six-figure fines and imprisonment.

What’s an EICR?

An EICR is a professional safety inspection of the property’s entire electrical system. A qualified electrician tests:

• All circuits and protective devices.
• Earthing and bonding.
• Consumer unit (fuse board or breaker panel).
• All sockets, switches, and appliances.
• Grounding on metal baths and radiators.

The report classifies any faults as:

• C1 (dangerous): Immediate risk of death. Must fix before tenants use the property.
• C2 (potentially dangerous): Risk of injury or damage. Must fix within 3 months.
• C3 (minor): Doesn’t meet modern standards. Should fix within a reasonable time.

The legal requirement (2024 update)

As of June 2024, landlords must:

• Get an EICR every 5 years (or when a new tenant moves in, if sooner).
• Provide a copy to your tenant within 30 days of the inspection.
• Provide a copy to local authorities if requested.
• Fix any C1 faults before the property is rented.
• Fix C2 faults within 3 months and tell the tenant they’ve been fixed.
• Keep records for at least 7 years.

Penalties for non-compliance

• No EICR: £30,000 fine per property.
• Dangerous fault not fixed: Up to 6 months in prison + unlimited fine.
• Renting an unsafe property: £10,000–30,000 fine.
• Not providing tenants with EICR: £5,000 fine.

Cost

An EICR for a 2–3 bedroom house: £200–400 depending on the property’s size and condition. Remedial work (if any faults are found): varies, but average is £300–800.

How often?

Every 5 years is the legal requirement. However, if the property is in poor condition, faults are found and fixed, or you’re managing multiple properties, you might want annual checks to stay ahead.

Can I check it myself?

No. Only a qualified electrician (NICEIC Approved Contractor or equivalent) can certify an EICR. DIY checks don’t meet legal standards.

What to do if faults are found

If the report shows C1 faults (dangerous), you must fix them before anyone else moves in. For C2 faults, you have 3 months. Document the work:

• Keep receipts for all repairs.
• Get a new EICR after major work.
• Tell your tenant what was fixed and when.
• Keep records for 7 years in case of disputes.

Tenant communication

When you provide the EICR, include a letter explaining:

• What was inspected.
• Any faults found and what you’re doing about them.
• How to report electrical problems (give them your contact number).

Bottom line: Get an EICR every 5 years. It costs £200–400, takes 2–3 hours, and gives you legal protection. Without it, you risk fines, imprisonment, and empty properties—not worth the risk.