EICR — the electrical MOT for every UK home.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a written safety certificate produced by a qualified electrician after a fixed-wiring inspection. Mandatory for landlords every 5 years; recommended for owner-occupiers every 10. Required by mortgage lenders on completion in many cases.
What is an EICR certificate and how often do I need one?
An EICR is the UK's legal electrical safety certificate, produced by a qualified electrician after inspecting your fixed wiring, consumer unit, sockets and switches. Landlords must commission one every 5 years (or at change of tenancy) under the 2020 Regulations. Owner-occupiers should renew every 10 years or before sale. Failed (Unsatisfactory) reports must be remedied within 28 days.
Outside London. London adds 20–30%. House with multiple consumer units pushes the upper end.
Mandatory under the 2020 Regulations for every privately rented home in England.
Per breach of the 2020 Regulations — payable to the local housing authority.
EICR — the terms that matter
Plain-English definitions for the 6 terms you'll see in any quote, certificate or enforcement notice for EICR Certificate.
- Electrical Installation Condition ReportEICR
- A written report describing the condition of an electrical installation against BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations). Produced after inspection + testing by a qualified electrician.
- Code C1 — Danger PresentC1
- An immediate danger requiring action before the inspector leaves the property — usually a live exposed conductor or imminent shock risk. EICR cannot be marked Satisfactory until remedied.
- Code C2 — Potentially DangerousC2
- A condition that could become dangerous — e.g. missing earth bonding on metal pipework. Renders the EICR Unsatisfactory; landlord has 28 days to remedy.
- Code C3 — Improvement RecommendedC3
- Sub-standard but not unsafe. Does not render the report Unsatisfactory; remediation is recommended but not legally required.
- Further Investigation RequiredFI
- A condition the inspector cannot fully assess on the day. Renders the report Unsatisfactory; landlord must investigate within 28 days.
- BS 7671BS 7671
- British Standard for Electrical Installations — the IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition (2018) plus 2022 amendments. The reference document for every EICR.
How to commission an EICR for your home
Five steps from instruction to certificate. Total time: 3h.
01
Pick the electrician
Day 0
Use a NICEIC- or NAPIT-registered electrician. Both bodies enforce competency to BS 7671 and audit a sample of work each year. Ask for the qualification card.
02
Schedule inspection
Day 1–7
The inspection takes 2–4 hours for a typical home. Power must be safely interrupted to test individual circuits — agree a window with the electrician.
03
Receive report
Day 7–14
You get a multi-page report listing every circuit, every observation, every code (C1/C2/C3/FI), and an overall Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory verdict.
04
Remedy any C1/C2/FI
≤28 days (rented)
For rentals, every C1, C2 and FI must be remedied within 28 days and a written confirmation sent to tenants and the local housing authority.
05
Diary next renewal
5 yrs (rented) / 10 yrs (owner)
Add the renewal date to your calendar. Mortgage and insurance underwriters increasingly check this — an expired EICR can complicate sale or remortgage.
EICR Certificate. Done compliant.
Every TradeMatch-listed tradesperson covering EICR Certificate carries the relevant scheme registration. Verified at onboarding, re-verified annually, certificates posted to you within 30 days of any notifiable work.
EICR fail (Unsatisfactory) — what happens next
Side-by-side comparison of the compliant route versus the unregistered shortcut. Most rows trace a straight line from regulation to financial exposure.
| Code | Severity | Action required | Effect on report |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPLIANT — RECOMMENDEDC1 — Danger Present | Immediate — risk of shock or fire today | Inspector makes safe before leaving site (e.g. isolates circuit). Full remediation within days. | Unsatisfactory until fixed |
| C2 — Potentially Dangerous | High — could become dangerous in normal use | Remediated within 28 days for rented properties | Unsatisfactory until fixed |
| FI — Further Investigation | Inspector could not fully assess condition | Investigated within 28 days for rented properties | Unsatisfactory until investigated |
| C3 — Improvement Recommended | Sub-standard but currently safe | Recommended only — not legally required | Satisfactory |
Source: IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671 18th Edition, Schedule of Inspection / Test results.
The questions homeowners ask before they commit.
How much does an EICR cost in the UK in 2026?
A standard EICR for a 1-bed flat costs £150–£200; a 3-bed house £200–£300; a 5+ bed house £350–£450. London typically adds 20–30%. HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) and properties with multiple consumer units cost more because every circuit is tested individually.
How long is an EICR valid for?
For privately rented homes in England, an EICR is valid for 5 years (or until the next change of tenancy if sooner) under the 2020 Regulations. For owner-occupied homes there is no statutory limit, but BS 7671 recommends renewal every 10 years or before sale.
What does a failed EICR mean?
A failed EICR (formally Unsatisfactory) means the inspector recorded one or more C1, C2 or FI codes. C1 is immediate danger; C2 is potentially dangerous; FI is further investigation needed. For rented properties, every C1/C2/FI must be remedied within 28 days and written confirmation sent to tenants and the local housing authority.
Do I need an EICR to sell my house?
There is no statutory requirement to produce an EICR when selling an owner-occupied home, but most mortgage lenders and conveyancing solicitors now ask for one (or for a recent installation certificate). An EICR older than 10 years is increasingly treated as expired by underwriters.
Who is qualified to issue an EICR?
EICRs must be produced by a competent person with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or Stroma registration (or equivalent). The inspector must hold the City & Guilds 2391 Inspection & Testing qualification or equivalent and work to BS 7671. Always ask for proof of registration before booking.
What is the fine for not having an EICR as a landlord?
Local housing authorities can issue civil penalties up to £30,000 per breach of the 2020 Regulations. They also have remedial powers — if a landlord fails to remedy within 28 days, the council can carry out the work and charge the landlord.
Going deeper.
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