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Landlord Electrical Certificate

Landlords in England are legally required to have the fixed electrical installation in their rental property assessed by a qualified person and to hold a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Give the new tenant a copy of the current report before occupation.

Arrange the next inspection by the date specified in that report, even if that date falls during a tenancy; future expiry during a tenancy alone does not require another inspection before it starts. An EICR is a formal written document that records the condition of the fixed electrical installation — the wiring, consumer unit, switches, socket outlets, and other accessories permanently connected to the property's electrical system.

The electrician carrying out the assessment checks each circuit for signs of deterioration, potential hazards, and non-compliance with the edition of the IET Wiring Regulations current at the time of installation. Defects are classified by code: C1 indicates danger present and requires immediate remedial action, C2 indicates a potentially dangerous condition that must be addressed within 28 days, and C3 is a recommendation for improvement that is not mandatory to act upon.

Landlords must provide a copy of the completed EICR to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection, to any new tenant before the tenancy begins, and to the local housing authority within one week if one is requested. Where the report requires remedial or investigative work, the landlord must arrange it within 28 days or any shorter period specified in the report, obtain written confirmation from the qualified person, and supply that confirmation and the report to the tenant and council within 28 days of completion.

Any electrical work certificate appropriate to the work is separate from this required written confirmation. Before the assessment visit, ensure that all parts of the installation are accessible — particularly the consumer unit, socket outlets, light fittings, and any wiring in loft or underfloor spaces.

Information about the property layout and any previous electrical work is also useful for the electrician carrying out the assessment.

Signs your rental property's installation needs attention

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Expired or missing EICR

If no EICR exists for the property, or the existing report is more than five years old, the landlord may be in breach of the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations. An assessment should be arranged before the next tenancy begins, or immediately if the property is already occupied.

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C1 or C2 codes on the existing report

Where the report requires remedial or investigative work, the landlord must arrange it within 28 days or any shorter period specified in the report, obtain written confirmation from the qualified person, and supply that confirmation and the report to the tenant and council within 28 days of completion. Any electrical work certificate appropriate to the work is separate from this required written confirmation.

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Outdated consumer unit or wiring

Properties wired before modern standards were adopted may lack adequate earthing, bonding, or RCD protection. Fuse boards that use rewirable fuses rather than modern circuit breakers are a clear indicator that an assessment is overdue and that the installation may not meet current minimum requirements.

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Tenant-reported electrical faults

If tenants report issues such as persistent tripping, sparking outlets, or unexplained flickering, these are grounds for an unscheduled assessment in addition to the five-year cycle. Addressing such reports promptly also forms part of a landlord's ongoing repair obligations under residential tenancy law.

How a landlord electrical assessment works

1

Initial walk-through

The electrician begins by identifying the consumer unit location, the number of circuits, and any known previous electrical work. They check that the installation is accessible and note any areas requiring particular attention, such as outbuildings or garages connected to the same supply.

2

Circuit-by-circuit inspection and testing

Each circuit is checked visually and tested using calibrated test equipment. The electrician checks insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, and the operation of protective devices including RCDs and circuit breakers. Any defects found are noted and classified for inclusion in the report.

3

EICR report production

The electrician produces the formal EICR document, classifying each observation as C1, C2, C3, or FI (further investigation required). The report states whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory overall and specifies any deadline for remedial work.

4

Remedial work and certification

Retain the EICR, complete any required remedial or investigative work within the stated timescale, and obtain the qualified person's written confirmation. Provide the report and confirmation to the tenant and council as required. Ask which electrical certificates are appropriate to any work carried out.

Common Questions

FAQs About Landlord Electrical Certificate

What does an EICR assessment cover?

An EICR covers the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit, wiring, socket outlets, light switches, earthing and bonding arrangements, and any permanently connected equipment such as electric showers or hardwired cookers. The electrician checks each circuit for deterioration and potential hazards, tests protective devices including RCDs and circuit breakers, and records the findings in a formal report. The assessment does not cover portable appliances, which are subject to separate portable appliance testing if required.

How long is a landlord EICR valid?

In England, inspections are required at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the report specifies. Give the new tenant the current report before occupation and complete any work required by it. A report due to expire during a tenancy does not, by itself, require a fresh inspection before that tenancy starts; arrange the next inspection by its due date.

What should I do if the EICR identifies defects?

Follow the qualified inspector's assessment and required actions. C1 means danger present and C2 means potentially dangerous; arrange the required remedial work. Where further investigation (FI) is required, arrange that investigation as well. In England, landlords must complete required remedial or investigative work within 28 days, or any shorter period specified in the report, and obtain written confirmation. Supply that confirmation and the report to the tenant and council within 28 days of completion. C3 recommends improvement rather than mandatory remedial work.

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Landlord Electrical Certificate in Guildford