An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal assessment of the fixed electrical installation within a property. It covers the consumer unit, all wiring, sockets, switches, and earthing and bonding arrangements.
The purpose of an EICR is to establish whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition and identify anything that poses a danger, requires urgent attention, or does not meet current standards. The assessment is carried out by a qualified electrician who inspects and tests each circuit in the property.
Visual checks are made on the consumer unit, connections, and accessible wiring. Each circuit is then tested for continuity, insulation integrity, polarity, and earth fault loop impedance.
The results are recorded and compared against the requirements of BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations. At the end of the assessment, a report is produced.
Observations are recorded using a classification system: items classified C1 represent a danger requiring immediate action; C2 items require urgent attention; C3 items are recommendations for improvement; and FI codes indicate where further investigation is needed. A property receives an overall assessment of satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
EICRs are required in certain circumstances. Landlords in England are legally required to hold a valid EICR for each rented property and to provide a copy to tenants.
EICRs are also often requested when purchasing a property, following a change of occupancy, or where there is reason to believe the installation may have deteriorated. For owner-occupied properties, an EICR is recommended at regular intervals — typically every ten years — though older installations or those that have been extended or altered without certification may warrant more frequent assessment.