An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection of the fixed wiring in a property. It records the condition of the installation, identifies anything dangerous or not up to the current standard, and recommends when the next inspection should take place.
Who needs one
Landlords in England. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require private landlords to have the installation inspected and tested at least every five years, to give a copy of the report to tenants, and to carry out remedial work identified as required.
Homeowners. Industry guidance recommends an inspection every ten years in an owner-occupied home, and when you buy a property.
Buyers. An EICR is not part of a standard building survey. If the house is older, an EICR before you commit tells you whether rewiring or a consumer unit should be in your budget.
Businesses. Employers have a duty to maintain electrical systems so far as is reasonably practicable. Periodic inspection is the usual way to demonstrate it.
What happens during an inspection
We inspect a representative sample of the installation, test each circuit, and check earthing, bonding and the consumer unit. Power is off for parts of the visit, so we agree timings with occupants. In a rented property, tenants should be told in advance.
Understanding the report
| Code | Meaning | Report outcome |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. Risk of injury | Unsatisfactory |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Unsatisfactory |
| FI | Further investigation required without delay | Unsatisfactory |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Does not on its own make the report unsatisfactory |
We go through the report with you and explain each observation in plain English. Where remedial work is needed, you receive an itemised quotation.
Our guide What is an EICR? covers the process in more depth.