M&E Contrax Resources

EICR for Holiday Lets in Devon

What landowners need to know

If you own a holiday let in Devon, you may have been told different things about whether you need an EICR. Some landlords assume the private landlord regulations apply to them. Others have been told holiday lets are exempt. The reality is more nuanced, and the practical answer for most Devon holiday let owners is: yes, you need one.

Written by David Moore, M&E Installations Manager, M&E Contrax. Last reviewed: June 2026.

The legal position for holiday lets

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to properties let on assured shorthold tenancies. Most holiday lets are not assured shorthold tenancies because they are short-term agreements. Strictly speaking, this means the residential landlord EICR regulations do not apply to a standard holiday let arrangement.

However, this does not mean holiday let owners can ignore electrical safety. The legal position that matters practically is the one your insurer and mortgage provider take

Insurance and EICR for holiday lets

The majority of specialist holiday let insurers now require a valid EICR as a condition of the policy. Some have required it for several years. Others introduced the requirement more recently. An insurance policy that does not contain an explicit requirement today may add it at renewal.

If your property has an electrical fire or an electrical fault leads to injury and you cannot produce a valid EICR, your insurer may decline the claim or reduce the payout on the basis that you did not take reasonable steps to maintain the electrical installation. This risk is real and well documented in property insurance disputes.

Mortgage conditions for holiday lets

Holiday let mortgages and commercial property mortgages frequently include a condition requiring the borrower to maintain the property to a lettable standard, which insurers and lenders increasingly interpret to include holding a valid EICR. Some mortgage providers make this explicit in their terms.

Practical electrical safety for holiday let owners

Even setting aside insurance and mortgage requirements, the practical case for an EICR on a Devon holiday let is strong. Holiday let properties are occupied by a succession of different people, often including families with children. They may not be familiar with the property’s electrical layout. Older coastal properties in South Devon, the South Hams, and Dartmoor often have wiring that has not been updated for many years.

A current EICR identifies any issues, gives you documented evidence that the property’s electrical installation has been professionally assessed, and provides peace of mind that your guests are not at risk from a fault that you were unaware of.

How often do holiday let owners need an EICR

While there is no legislation specifying a frequency for holiday let EICRs, the 5-year cycle applied to residential rental properties is widely adopted as best practice for holiday lets. Given the higher occupancy turnover compared with a standard rental, some insurers recommend 5 years as the maximum interval. Check your current policy and mortgage documents for any specific requirement.

Book an EICR for your Devon holiday let

We carry out EICRs for holiday lets throughout Devon, including the South Hams, Torbay, Dartmoor, South Devon coast, and the Exeter area. Same-day callouts are available if your certificate is urgently needed.

Call us on 01364 654271

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