An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a formal assessment of the safety and condition of a property’s fixed electrical installation. It covers the wiring, consumer unit, fuse board, circuits, sockets, switches, and all earthing and bonding. It does not cover portable appliances. The certificate produced at the end of the inspection confirms whether the installation is satisfactory or identifies any faults and the urgency with which they need to be addressed.
Resource Highlights:
- An EICR is a legal requirement for all private landlords in England and Wales, renewed every 5 years or at the start of each new tenancy
- From May 2026, social landlords are also required to hold valid EICRs for all tenancies
- Commercial premises need EICRs every 5 years under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, with higher-risk industrial environments typically every 3 years
- EICR faults are classified as C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), or FI (further investigation needed)
- From October 2026, new competency requirements mean EICR contractors must hold C&G 2391-52 or equivalent. Always check your contractor’s NICEIC registration before booking.
Who legally needs an EICR
Private landlords
Since 2020 in England and Wales, all private landlords must ensure their rental properties have a valid EICR. The inspection must be carried out every 5 years at minimum, or at the start of each new tenancy if that falls within the 5-year period. A copy of the report must be provided to tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to the relevant local authority within 7 days if requested. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is £40,000 per offence.
Social landlords
From 1 November 2025, social landlords including housing associations and local authority housing providers are also required to hold valid EICRs for new tenancies. From 1 May 2026, the requirement extended to all existing tenancies. Social landlords managing large portfolios face significant compliance workloads as a result.
Commercial property owners and businesses
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require all employers and those in control of premises to ensure that electrical systems are maintained to prevent danger. An EICR is the industry-standard method of demonstrating this. While the legislation does not prescribe a specific inspection frequency, the IET Code of Practice recommends every 5 years for most commercial premises and every 3 years for industrial environments with higher electrical risk.
Holiday let owners
Holiday let properties are not universally covered by the private landlord regulations, as the nature of short-term letting can affect which regulations apply. However, most holiday let insurers require a valid EICR as a condition of cover, and mortgage providers offering holiday let finance routinely require EICR certification. An expired or absent EICR can void your insurance in the event of an electrical incident.
What does an EICR inspection involve
An EICR inspection is carried out by a qualified and competent electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. The inspection involves both visual examination and electrical testing.
The visual examination checks the condition of all accessible wiring, consumer unit, protective devices, sockets, switches, and earthing arrangements. The electrical testing involves dead testing of circuits before the power is restored, followed by live testing to verify the operation of protective devices, earthing, and bonding.
For a standard 3-bedroom residential property, the inspection typically takes 3 to 4 hours. Larger properties and commercial premises take longer. You will need to be present or arrange access for the duration of the inspection. The electrician will need access to your consumer unit and all circuits, including any outbuildings or garages on the supply.
Understanding EICR codes: C1, C2, C3 and FI
C1: Danger present
There is a risk of injury from the electrical installation. Immediate action is required. The inspector may make the dangerous element safe before leaving the property. A C1 finding makes the installation unsatisfactory and the EICR certificate will record this. C1 remedial work must be carried out urgently.
C2: Potentially dangerous
The installation has a fault that could be dangerous if not addressed. Remedial action is urgently needed. C2 findings make the installation unsatisfactory. Under landlord regulations, C2 remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the inspection.
C3: Improvement recommended
There is a situation that does not meet current standards but does not present an immediate danger. A C3 finding can appear on a satisfactory EICR certificate. The remedial work is recommended but not legally required for compliance purposes. Most older installations receive some C3 observations.
FI: Further investigation required
The inspector has identified an issue that cannot be fully assessed during the inspection and requires further investigation. FI findings make the installation unsatisfactory until the investigation is completed and any resulting issues resolved.
What happens if my property fails an EICR
A property fails an EICR when the report records the installation as unsatisfactory. This occurs when there are one or more C1, C2, or FI findings. For landlords, you are required to carry out the specified remedial work within 28 days of the inspection date. Once the work is completed, a qualified electrician provides written confirmation of completion, and you must supply this to your tenants and to the local authority within 28 days of the work being done.
A failure does not mean the property is immediately uninhabitable in all cases. C1 findings, where there is immediate danger, require prompt action. C2 findings allow a 28-day remediation window. Your EICR contractor should give clear guidance on the urgency and scope of remedial work needed.
The October 2026 competency changes
From 1 October 2026, new requirements under the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification mean that electricians carrying out EICRs must hold the C&G 2391-52 Electrical Inspection and Testing qualification or equivalent, have at least two years of documented practical experience in inspection and testing, and maintain ongoing CPD records. Failure to comply may result in the scope of registration being removed for periodic inspection and testing.
This is an important change for property owners booking EICRs. From October 2026, a contractor without this qualification cannot legally carry out a certified EICR. Always verify that your contractor is registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another government-approved scheme, and that inspection and testing is within their scope. David Moore at M&E Contrax holds City and Guilds 2391-52 Electrical Inspection and Testing, NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services, BS 7671 18th Edition, SMSTS and meets the new requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an EICR valid for?
For rented residential properties, 5 years or until the next change of tenancy, whichever comes first. For commercial premises, typically 5 years, or 3 years for industrial sites. For homeowners, an EICR is not legally required but is recommended every 10 years.
Can I use any electrician for an EICR?
No. The electrician must be qualified and competent for inspection and testing, and registered with a government-approved competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. From October 2026, they must also hold C&G 2391-52 or equivalent. Always ask for their scheme registration number before booking.
How much does an EICR cost?
For a 2 to 3 bedroom residential property, typical costs range from £150 to £250. For larger properties and commercial premises, costs reflect the size and complexity of the installation. We provide a quote before booking based on the property details you supply. Emergency and same-day callouts may carry an additional charge.
Do I need a separate EICR for each property if I have a portfolio?
Yes. Each property requires its own EICR. For landlords with multiple properties, we can programme a schedule of inspections to manage the workload and ensure certificates do not expire at the same time.
Book an EICR with M&E Contrax
We carry out EICRs for landlords, businesses, and holiday let owners across Devon, covering Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torbay, South Hams, Ashburton, Dartmoor, Ivybridge, and Plymouth.
Call 01364 654271 or contact us here
NICEIC Approved | Same-Day Available | M&E Contrax
Written by David Moore, M&E Installations Manager, M&E Contrax. Last reviewed: June 2026.
About David Moore | M&E Contrax EICR Engineer
David Moore is M&E Installations Manager at M&E Contrax, with 20 years of experience in mechanical and electrical installation. He holds City and Guilds 2391-52 Electrical Inspection and Testing (the qualification required under the October 2026 EAS update), NVQ Level 3 in Electrotechnical Services, BS 7671 18th Edition (IET Wiring Regulations), City and Guilds 2921 EV Charging Installation, EAL Level 3 Award in Solar PV Installation, and SMSTS Site Management Safety Training.
He is responsible for the planning, specification, and delivery of M&E installations across all M&E Contrax projects and carries out EICR testing across Devon.
