Electrical
SAFETY
SORTED

For privately rented properties in England, the law requires a satisfactory EICR at least every five years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.

Most landlords' first EICRs were carried out in the rush following 1 April 2021, when the regulations were extended to all existing tenancies. Those certificates are expiring now. Check the expiry date on your current report.

You also need one before new tenants move in if you don't have a current report, and you must give a copy to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection (or before move-in, whichever is sooner).

A report is satisfactory if the electrician finds no C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) issues. C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation) observations don't make the report unsatisfactory, but landlords often choose to act on them anyway.

If the report comes back unsatisfactory, the law requires remedial work within 28 days. We'll quote that work separately so you can decide who carries it out.

Fines for not having a valid EICR can reach £40,000 per breach for offences from 1 May 2026, under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (the previous ceiling was £30,000). Unsafe electrics may also invalidate your landlord insurance, and if something goes wrong, you could be personally liable.

The local authority can ask for a copy of your EICR at any time. You have seven days to provide it.

No. A change of tenant does not invalidate a current EICR. The Regulations require testing at specified intervals, not on tenancy turnover.

Some older certificates state they are valid for "5 years or until change of tenancy". This wording is incorrect. If your existing certificate says this, raise it with the electrician who issued it.

From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 converts existing assured shorthold tenancies into periodic tenancies. Your EICR obligations stay identical: a satisfactory report every five years, copies to tenants within 28 days, and to the council within 7 days of request.

What does change is the maximum civil penalty for a missing or invalid report, which rises from £30,000 to £40,000 per breach.

It's not just a visual check. The electrician uses specialist test equipment to check wiring, circuits and safety devices like trip switches. They'll check sockets and light fittings, confirm earthing and bonding arrangements, and assess any fixed electrical appliances.

Expect the power to be switched off briefly at points during the test. The visit usually takes two to three hours for a typical flat or small house, longer for larger properties or HMOs.

No. The £175 covers the inspection and report. If the report identifies issues that need remedial work, the electrician will provide a separate quote. You're free to use them or get another electrician to do the work.

If the work is needed to bring the report up to satisfactory, it must be completed within 28 days.

Every electrician on our network is interviewed, credential-checked and reference-tested before they take their first job for us. They must hold current NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA registration, demonstrate BS 7671 competence, and carry professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

After every job, the landlord rates the work. Contractors who consistently fall below standard come off the network.

Most bookings happen within the same week. We coordinate access directly with your tenant, so you don't need to be there. The written report usually lands in your inbox within 48 hours of the inspection.

No. We'll arrange access with your tenant directly. If the property is empty between tenancies, we can use a key from your safe, a key safe code, or coordinate with you.