Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords?

Yes. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require all private landlords in England to have a valid EICR at least every five years.

What happens if a landlord does not have an EICR?

Local housing authorities can impose fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance. Landlords may also face difficulty with insurance claims and could be held liable if a tenant is harmed due to an electrical fault.

Do I need an EICR for a new build?

New build properties come with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) which confirms the installation was safe when built. An EICR is then required five years later, or sooner if the EICR is due before that.

Do I need to do anything between EICRs?

Between EICRs, landlords should address any electrical faults or damage as they arise. There is no statutory requirement for additional inspections between five-yearly EICRs for standard residential properties.

EICR

How Often Do Landlords Need an EICR?

Richard Beugnies

Lead Engineer · NICEIC 3175707

Since 1 April 2021, all private landlords in England have been legally required to have a valid EICR in place. The rules are straightforward but the consequences of non-compliance are serious. Here is exactly what the law requires.

The Legal Requirement: Every Five Years

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require private landlords to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out at least every five years. The inspection must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician. The regulations apply to all privately rented properties in England, including HMOs.

What Landlords Must Do With the EICR

Landlords must provide a copy of the EICR to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection. New tenants must receive a copy before they move in. Prospective tenants can request a copy and must receive one within 28 days. Local housing authorities can request a copy, and landlords must provide one within seven days.

Remedial Works: The 28-Day Rule

If the EICR is Unsatisfactory — meaning it contains C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) codes — landlords must complete all remedial works within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if specified in the report. Landlords must provide written confirmation from the electrician that the works have been completed to all tenants and the local housing authority within 28 days.

Scotland: Similar Requirements

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Regulations 2011 require a similar electrical inspection regime for privately rented properties in Scotland. An EICR (or Electrical Installation Report) must be obtained when a new tenancy begins and at least every five years.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Local housing authorities can impose financial penalties of up to £30,000 on landlords who fail to comply with the EICR requirements. The authority may also carry out the work themselves and recover the cost from the landlord. Non-compliance also risks invalidating landlord insurance and puts tenants at safety risk.

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