EICR Certificate: Cost, Frequency and Landlord Rules

An EICR certificate, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, confirms that the fixed wiring in a property is safe. For landlords in England it is a legal requirement, and this guide covers what an EICR certificate is, what it costs and how often you need one. You can book a domestic EICR certificate online in minutes.

For the official guidance, see GOV.UK electrical safety standards guidance.

What is an EICR certificate?

An EICR certificate is the report produced after a qualified electrician inspects and tests the electrical installation. It covers the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches and lighting, and it records any damage, wear or potential hazards that need to be put right before the installation can be used safely.

Is an EICR a legal requirement?

Yes, for private landlords in England. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 make an EICR mandatory for rental properties. The fixed installation must be inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person, and you must give your tenants a copy of the report.

  • EICR every five years for rented properties
  • Carried out by a qualified electrician
  • Copy given to tenants within 28 days of the inspection
  • C1 and C2 findings remedied within 28 days
  • Report kept and made available to the local authority on request

If the report finds a C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) code, the property is not safe for continued use until the work is carried out. A C3 code is an improvement recommendation and does not fail the report on its own.

How much does an EICR certificate cost?

An EICR certificate typically costs between £150 and £400 for a domestic property, depending on its size and the number of circuits. Our domestic EICR certificates start at just £99 for a 1-3 bedroom property, with clear pricing and no hidden extras.

Book Your Property Safety Certificate Online

Next-day inspection slots available across London and Home Counties. Fast 24-hour digital PDF certificate delivery by accredited Gas Safe, NICEIC and IFE registered engineers.

How often do you need an EICR?

Every five years for rented properties

In the private rented sector an EICR must be carried out at least once every five years. The report itself may specify a shorter interval if the condition of the installation requires it, and you must follow the date stated rather than assuming the five-year rule always applies.

New EICR before a new tenancy

You must give the tenant a copy of the EICR before they move in, and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection. If your current report is still valid you do not need a fresh one for every tenancy, but you should always check the date before reletting.

What happens if the EICR finds a problem?

Where a report records C1 or C2 codes, the landlord must carry out the required remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. After the work you should obtain written confirmation and give a copy to the tenant within 28 days. This is explained in more detail in our guide to what an EICR is.

EICR for new-build and recently rewired homes

Properties that are newly built or have just been rewired may hold an Electrical Installation Certificate instead of an EICR. If the installation is no more than five years old, this certificate can satisfy the requirement and counts as your EICR equivalent.

Why choose Smart Property Checks?

Smart Property Checks uses qualified electricians to inspect and test your installation and issues your EICR certificate quickly. Need full compliance certification for your London rental portfolio? View our London landlord safety certificates packages covering Gas Safe, EICR, and EPC checks across all 32 boroughs, or contact our team to arrange an inspection.

The booking process

  1. Select the EICR certificate service that matches your property
  2. Choose a convenient appointment slot
  3. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation
  4. You receive your EICR certificate and a clear summary of any findings

Book your EICR certificate today with Smart Property Checks and stay compliant.

Common Questions

EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is the certificate issued after the fixed wiring in a property is inspected and tested.

A domestic EICR typically costs between £150 and £400 depending on the property size and number of circuits. Smart Property Checks domestic EICR certificates start at £99.

Yes. Since 1 January 2021, private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every rental property, renewed at least every five years.

At least every five years for rented properties, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter interval for the next inspection.

An EICR certificate is valid for five years, unless the report states an earlier date for the next inspection.

Not necessarily. If you already have a valid report you can use it, but the tenant must receive a copy before they move in.

C2 means the defect is potentially dangerous and the report is unsatisfactory. Remedial work is normally required within 28 days.

Letting a property without a valid EICR is a breach of the regulations and can lead to enforcement action, fines and difficulties when serving notice to regain possession.

An EICR must be carried out by a qualified electrician competent to inspect and test electrical installations. Always check their credentials before the appointment.

Book your EICR certificate with Smart Property Checks

Keep your tenants safe and meet your legal duties. Book your EICR certificate with Smart Property Checks and let a qualified electrician handle the inspection and testing.

Arrange your EICR today and get your certificate without the hassle.

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