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What is an EICR Certificate?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection of your property's electrical systems, carried out by a qualified electrician. Its purpose is to identify any defects, deterioration, or potential dangers — before they cause harm.
According to Electric Safety First, around 20,000 electrical fires occur in the UK every year — with defective wiring responsible for a significant proportion. An up-to-date EICR is one of the most effective ways to protect your property and the people in it.
At MyConstructor, you can book an EICR from just £69 with an accredited electrician near you. We offer same-day bookings nationwide, with over 12,000 verified reviews from landlords and homeowners across the UK.
Are EICRs legally required?
Since July 1st 2020, all privately rented properties in England require a valid EICR certificate for new tenancies and renewals. This was extended to all existing tenancies from April 1st 2021. Business owners are also legally required to hold a valid certificate — failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000.
If you are a homeowner, an EICR is not a legal requirement — but it is strongly recommended every 10 years. If you're selling, your buyer's solicitor may request one as part of the conveyancing process. It's also worth noting that insurers can refuse claims if electrical systems haven't been regularly maintained and tested.
Purpose of an EICR Inspection
An EICR report provides a complete record of your property's electrical condition. It identifies any faults, hazards, or non-compliant work — and outlines the corrective steps needed to make the installation safe and legal.
The inspection is designed to:
- Identify safety hazards in permanent installations — lights, sockets, fixtures, and storage boilers
- Detect any electrical work that has been poorly or incorrectly completed
- Check that no circuits or equipment are overloaded
- Verify that earthing and bonding meet current standards, with sufficient resistance to trip circuit breakers in the event of a surge
- Identify any components that don't comply with IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
What Does the Electrician Check?
An EICR inspection consists of four stages: Visual Inspection, Dead Testing, Live Testing, and RCD Testing. Together, these cover every aspect of your property's fixed electrical installation.
Visual Inspection
Before any testing begins, the electrician carries out a thorough visual survey of the installation. This identifies obvious issues caused by wear and tear — such as damaged cables, broken sockets, or faulty switches — that pose an immediate risk.
Dead Testing
Dead testing covers three checks: Continuity Testing, Insulation Resistance Testing, and Polarity Testing. These verify that conductors are correctly connected, that insulation is intact and undamaged, and that wiring is connected in the correct sequence — all with the power switched off.
Live Testing
With the power restored, live testing confirms that in the event of a fault, the system will disconnect the supply within the required time limit — protecting occupants from electric shock or fire.
RCD Testing
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are safety switches designed to cut power instantly if a fault is detected, preventing fires and electrocution. RCD testing confirms these devices are functioning correctly on modern installations.
Once all testing is complete, the electrician uploads the results and your EICR certificate is issued digitally — typically within a few days of the inspection.
Learn more about our EICR Test Procedure →
Issues an EICR Inspection Can Uncover
An EICR inspection can identify a wide range of electrical faults — many of which are invisible to the untrained eye but pose a serious risk of fire or electric shock:
- Inadequate or faulty bonding and earthing
- Missing or improperly installed Residual Current Devices (RCDs) for sockets used with outdoor equipment
- Damaged or deteriorating cables, leads, light fittings, and downlighters
- Unsuitable or outdated control gear and switchgear
- Faulty sockets, switches, lighting fixtures, and other electrical components
- Property alterations or additions that have introduced electrical safety risks
- Daisy chaining — multiple extension leads connected together, a common cause of overloading and fires
EICR codes explained
According to the Government,
there are four classification codes that indicate the need for
further Remedial Works.
C1
CODE 1
Danger present
Risk of injury
C2
CODE 2
Potentially
dangerous
FI
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
Further checks
required without delay
C3
CODE 3
Improvement
recommended
Note: C1, C2, and FI require remedial work before the report can be marked as 'satisfactory'.
Once the inspection is complete, the electrician may need a few days to upload and process the findings before your EICR certificate is issued. All faults are classified using the following codes:
-
C1 — Danger present, immediate action required
The most serious classification. A C1 fault poses an immediate risk of electric shock or fire — examples include exposed live parts, damaged insulation, or broken sockets. The affected circuit must be isolated or repaired before the property can be deemed safe. See our EICR inspection guide for more detail. -
C2 — Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action needed
A C2 fault is not an immediate danger but has the potential to become one. Common examples include missing mains bonding or earthing, or an RCD that fails to trip when tested. Repairs must be completed within 28 days. -
C3 — Improvement recommended
The only code that still results in a satisfactory EICR. A C3 indicates the installation doesn't fully meet current wiring regulations but poses no immediate risk. Think of it like an MOT advisory — you're not legally required to act, but it's strongly recommended. -
FI — Further Investigation required
Issued when the electrician has identified a potential problem but cannot fully assess it without additional testing. The property cannot receive a satisfactory report until the investigation is completed.
Validity of the electrical certificate
Current guidelines state that for rental properties the EICR is legally required every 5 years but also recommends having the report renewed at the start of each new tenancy. For privately owned (owner-occupied) homes, it's recommended every 10 years.
Special rules apply to certain property types:- Caravans – every 3 years
- Swimming pools – every 1 year
Landlords are also advised to renew the EICR at the start of each new tenancy, even if the 5-year period hasn't yet expired.
Learn everything about EICR rental properties here.
Who can issue a report?
Guidelines state that the electrical safety certification report must be carried out by a competent and qualified person.
It is recommended for the electrical certificate that you ask the contractor which scheme they are approved with and their electrical safety certification credentials. The most commonly recognized accreditation bodies in the UK are NICEIC, Stroma, Napit and Elecsa.
It should be noted that an electrician does not require accreditation to carry out an Electrical Certificate but should have the requisite qualifications.
EICR Certificate Cost
Book your EICR certificate from just £69 through MyConstructor. All prices are inclusive of VAT — no hidden fees, no surprises. Landlords with multiple properties can also benefit from discounted rates for bulk bookings.
- Studio: from £69
- 1 Bedroom: from £79
- 2 Bedrooms: from £79
- 3 Bedrooms: from £85
UK EICR Certificate Pricing Overview
| Location | Studio | Up to 2 Beds | Up to 3 Beds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater London | £69 | £79 | £85 |
| Manchester | £69 | £79 | £85 |
| Birmingham | £69 | £79 | £85 |
| Liverpool | £69 | £79 | £85 |
| Cardiff | £99 | £119 | £149 |
| Bristol | £99 | £139 | £159 |
| Edinburgh | £99 | £119 | £129 |
| Newcastle | £79 | £89 | £99 |
Commercial vs. Domestic EICR Cost
Commercial EICR certificates typically cost more than domestic ones due to larger property sizes and more complex electrical installations. For a full breakdown, visit our dedicated EICR cost guide.
EICR Report — What's Involved
The inspection covers both interior systems (main cables, distribution boards) and exterior components (light fittings, switches, sockets). Dead testing, live testing, and RCD testing are all carried out — note that the power will need to be turned off briefly during each circuit test.
The duration of the inspection depends on:
- The size and age of the property
- The complexity of the electrical installation
- The number of circuits
- Whether serious issues are identified during the inspection
Appointments typically take between 30 minutes and 3 hours. Keep in mind that a significant portion of the work — reviewing results, compiling the report, and entering test data — is completed after the site visit, so allow a few days for your certificate to be issued.
What Happens if My Property Fails?
If the electrician identifies any part of the installation as unsafe or unfit for purpose, the report will be marked as 'unsatisfactory'. This means remedial work is required before the property can legally be rented out. A C1 or C2 fault must be resolved — and written confirmation provided to your tenant and local authority — before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
Legal Implications
The EICR Certificate Electrical Certificate Report must be given to all of the tenants before they occupy the property and when a new report is undertaken you must provide tenants with a new report within 28 days of the inspection.
Electrical faults cause almost half of all household fires in the UK and as a result, failure to comply with regulations is taken very seriously. The local authority is responsible for enforcement and they can issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach of these regulations.
Where non-urgent work has been identified they must serve the landlord a notice detailing the work required and giving them 28 days to perform the work.
The landlord may make representations to this within 21 days of the notice being served.
If they do then the local authority must respond to these representations within 7 days. Until they respond the requirement to perform the work is suspended.
Lastly, if the local authority is satisfied the landlord is in breach and they have the tenant's permission to do so, they may perform emergency remedial work on the property and bill the landlord for any costs incurred.
It is also not acceptable to claim that you are not aware of any electrical issues in your property. If you are not in compliance with the electrical safety standards, then you could be charged and subjected to a fine of up to £30,000.
UK laws and regulations for EICRs
In the United Kingdom, there are several laws and regulations related to electrical installation condition report certificate (EICRs):
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:This act places a duty on employers and self-employed persons to ensure the safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their work activities. This includes ensuring the electrical installations in their buildings are safe.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: This regulation requires that all electrical systems and equipment must be maintained in a safe condition and that electrical installations are tested at appropriate intervals to ensure their safety.
- Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020: These regulations require that all landlords must ensure the electrical installations in their rental properties are safe and maintained in good working order. This includes ensuring an EICR is carried out every 5 years.
- Building Regulations: Part P of the Building Regulations requires that all electrical installation work in homes must comply with safety standards and be properly tested before use.
- The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985: This act places a responsibility on landlords to ensure that their properties are fit for habitation, including ensuring that the electrical installations are safe and in good working order.
It is important for building owners and landlords to be aware of and comply with these laws and regulations in order to ensure the safety of their properties and those who occupy them.
What happens after the EICR inspection
Getting the results of the electrical safety certification can sometimes take a few days as the engineer will need to upload his findings in a digital format which will then be emailed to you. If your property meets the required standard then your report will be marked as "satisfactory". If not, it will be classified as "unsatisfactory" and the report will detail which part of the installation failed and why.
In an EICR examination, four codes are used. If your report includes any of the following codes: C1, C2 or FI, it will be considered unsatisfactory and will require remedial work.
Landlords must provide a copy of the satisfactory EICR report to:
- New tenants – before they move in
- Existing tenants – within 28 days of the report
- Local authorities – within 7 days, if requested
Remedial works
If a C1 fault is found, immediate action is required. The assessor may shut down the affected circuit or area, or if safe, allow you to complete urgent remedial work.
If a C2 code is found, repairs must be carried out within 28 days, as required by UK law.
Once the issues are resolved, the landlord must provide "written confirmation" to both the tenant and the local authority stating that the repairs were completed within the required timeframe.
You should also keep a copy of the EICR report for your records for at least 5 years.
Learn more about electrical remedial works.
Actions listed in EICR
Any recommendation made in an electrical installation condition report certificate is not legally enforceable.
However, if an accident involving your fixed electrical system occurs and your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) included recommendations that were ignored, you or your organisation may be held legally responsible. This could lead to fines or even prosecution in severe cases.
Information that EICR contain
You will receive an EICR Certificate report following the examination. This report will include the following information:
- Property details – Address, inspection date, and premises evaluated
- Inspector details – Name and qualifications of the electrician
- Access limitations – Areas that could not be tested or circuits that couldn't be switched off
- Compliance status – Whether the property passes or fails based on BS 7671 (18th edition wiring regulations)
- List of faults – Including their classification codes (C1, C2, C3, FI)
- Test schedule – What was inspected and the results of each section
The electrical engineer will go over the EICR report with you and advise you on what work needs to be done to make any installations safe again. Then, with their help, you may plan for corrective work.
Keep your EICR report secure – it may be required by local authorities or insurance providers, you may be required to submit a copy.
Benefits of an Up-to-Date EICR Certificate
Legal Compliance
A modern installation with no visible issues is not automatically compliant. Legislation changes regularly — and only an up-to-date EICR certificate confirms that your property meets current electrical safety standards. For landlords, non-compliance can result in fines of up to £30,000.
Safety
Government statistics show that around four people a day are injured or killed in fires linked to electrical faults — and electrical issues cause almost half of all accidental house fires in the UK. A regular EICR inspection is one of the most effective ways to protect your tenants, family, and property.
Insurance Protection
Insurers increasingly require evidence of periodic electrical testing as part of policy agreements. An up-to-date EICR demonstrates that your installation has been professionally assessed — and can strengthen your position in the event of a claim. Without one, insurers may use lack of maintenance as grounds to refuse a payout.
Save Money Long-Term
Identifying potential problems early means they can be fixed before causing further — and more costly — damage. Don't wait until something stops working. An EICR also includes recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your electrical systems, helping to reduce consumption and lower bills over time.
Tailored Recommendations
Every EICR report is specific to your property. The recommendations cover both safety improvements and energy efficiency measures relevant to your installation. If you have questions after receiving your report, your assessor's contact details are included — so you can follow up for advice tailored to your building.
