What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, is a formal record of the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a building. It is produced after an inspection and a series of tests by a competent electrician, and it says whether the installation is safe to continue in use.

What it covers

An EICR looks at the fixed installation: the consumer unit, the wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and fixed equipment such as showers and cookers. It does not test portable appliances (that is PAT testing).

The inspection checks for:

• damage, wear and deterioration
• anything that presents a risk of electric shock or fire
• overloaded circuits
• missing or inadequate earthing and bonding
• protective devices that are not suitable or not working
• work that does not meet the current edition of the wiring regulations, BS 7671

Not every part of the installation can be seen or tested without dismantling the building. The report records the extent of the inspection and any limitations agreed with you.

Who needs one, and how often

Private landlords in England are required by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 to have the installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report says so. Landlords must give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to the local authority within seven days if asked. Where the report requires remedial work or further investigation, it must be carried out within 28 days or the shorter period stated in the report. The GOV.UK guidance linked below sets out the full duties.

Homeowners are not legally required to have an EICR, but industry guidance recommends an inspection at least every ten years in an owner-occupied home, and when a property changes hands.

Businesses have a general duty to maintain electrical systems so they do not cause danger. Periodic inspection is the usual way to show this. The next recommended inspection date is written on the report.

Reading the codes

Each observation on the report is given a classification code:

If an electrician finds a C1 danger, they should make it safe or advise you in writing before leaving, often by isolating the circuit.

A C3 is not a fail. It means part of the installation does not meet the current edition of the regulations but is not considered dangerous as it stands. Older installations often receive several C3s simply because standards have moved on. Which code an observation gets is the inspector’s judgement, applied to your installation and how it is used.

What happens after the report

If the report is satisfactory, keep it and note the recommended date for the next inspection.

If it is unsatisfactory, ask for a quotation for the remedial work, item by item. You do not have to use the electrician who carried out the inspection. When the work is done, you should receive certificates for it (an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate, depending on the work). Landlords must also keep written confirmation that the remedial work has been completed.

How long does an inspection take?

It depends on the size and condition of the installation and the number of circuits. Power will be off for parts of the visit, so allow for that, and in a rented property make sure tenants know in advance.

Getting an EICR

If you have a property in Harrogate, York, Wetherby or nearby, see our EICR and electrical testing service.