EICR rules for landlords in England

Since 2020, landlords in England have had a clear legal duty to get the electrics in their rented homes inspected and tested. The document that proves it is the Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR. This guide explains what the rules say, what the codes on the report mean and what to do if your report comes back "unsatisfactory".

Where the rules come from

The duty is set out in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. They applied to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021, so today they cover almost every private let in England, including houses in multiple occupation. A few types of tenancy are excluded, such as lodgers who share your home with you and certain long leases, and the government guidance lists these in full.

What landlords must do

Under the regulations, a landlord must:

• make sure the national standards for electrical safety (the current edition of BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations) are met while the property is let;
• have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years, or more often if the report says so;
• get a written report of the results and the date of the next inspection;
• give copies of the report to tenants and, when asked, to the council;
• keep a copy to give to the person carrying out the next inspection;
• carry out any remedial or investigative work the report requires within the deadline.

The "fixed installation" means the wiring, sockets, light fittings, consumer unit (fuse box) and permanently connected equipment such as electric showers and extractor fans. Portable appliances are not covered by an EICR. Portable appliance testing (PAT) is not a legal requirement for ordinary lets, although it is good practice for appliances you supply.

Who needs a copy, and when

Email is fine. Keep a record of when you sent it.

Understanding the codes

An EICR lists any problems found and gives each one a code. These tell you what you have to do:

• C1: danger present. There is a risk of injury and immediate action is needed. The electrician will usually make it safe on the spot.
• C2: potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work is required.
• FI: further investigation required. The electrician could not fully assess something, and it must be investigated without delay.
• C3: improvement recommended. Not a breach of the regulations. You do not have to act, but it is often worth doing.

Any C1, C2 or FI makes the overall report "unsatisfactory". A report with only C3 items, or none at all, is "satisfactory".

If your report is unsatisfactory

You must get the remedial work or further investigation done by a qualified person within 28 days of the inspection, or within a shorter period if the report specifies one. Once the work is complete, you must get written confirmation from the electrician that it has been done and that the installation now meets the standards.

You then have to send that written confirmation, together with a copy of the original report, to the tenant and to the local council within 28 days of the work being completed. Many landlords miss the council step. Keep both documents with the EICR so you have the full story on file.

If further investigation turns up more problems, the same process applies again: more work, more written confirmation, and copies to the tenant and council.

Who can carry out an EICR?

The regulations say the inspector must be "qualified and competent". The government guidance explains that landlords can check this by using an electrician who is a member of a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, or who can show the right qualifications, experience and insurance. The inspection should cover the whole installation. Be wary of very cheap "visual only" reports that do not include testing.

What happens if you do not comply

Local councils enforce these regulations. If a council believes a landlord is in breach, it can serve a remedial notice requiring the work to be done. If the landlord does not comply, the council can arrange the work itself and recover the cost. Councils can also impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for breaches, and landlords can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Where a C1 or C2 hazard is left, a council can arrange urgent remedial action with 48 hours' notice.

Beyond the fines, an out-of-date or missing EICR can complicate insurance claims and lettings through agents. Electrical safety information is also among the documents expected for the new private rented sector database under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. See our PRS Database guide for the current position.

Practical tips

1. Note the "next inspection" date on your current report. It may be less than five years if the electrician recommended it.
2. Book the next inspection a couple of months early, so there is time to deal with any C2 or FI items before it expires.
3. Ask for a quote for remedial work at the same time as the inspection, so the 28-day clock does not catch you out.
4. Send copies to tenants straight away, and to the council when remedial work is completed.
5. Keep every report and every remedial confirmation together.

How Severn LetSafe helps

We arrange EICRs from £140 across Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, carried out by vetted, independent electricians registered with a competent person scheme. We send the report to you and your tenant, track any remedial deadlines and file everything in your online vault. See our EICR service, compare prices or book an EICR now.

Questions

Official sources

• The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)
• GOV.UK: Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector, guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities

Checked 16 October 2026. General guidance for England, not legal advice. See also all regulations & official sources.

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