Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | Local EICR Service
Do you need an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for a rental or commercial property? Our qualified electricians cover Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London, delivering fast, accredited EICR inspections for landlords, letting agents and homeowners. This page explains what an EICR involves, when you need one, and what happens if you don’t.
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal safety check of a property’s fixed electrical installation. This covers the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and any permanently connected equipment. Think of it as an MOT for your property’s electrics, rather than a check on individual appliances like kettles or washing machines, which fall under separate Portable Appliance Testing (PAT).
A qualified electrician inspects the installation against BS 7671, the national wiring standard also known as the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. They then produce a detailed report showing whether everything meets current safety standards, and flagging anything that doesn’t.
Do You Legally Need an EICR?
Since 2020, landlords letting residential property in England must have a valid EICR (Electrician Condition Installation Report) for every rental property. You need to renew the inspection at least every five years, or sooner if your previous report specifies a shorter interval. You must also give tenants a copy before they move in. Existing tenants need a copy within 28 days of the inspection.
Local authorities enforce these rules directly. Non-compliance can result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. Some recent reports suggest this figure may rise further under updated regulations. Beyond the financial risk, a missing or invalid EICR can also block a landlord’s ability to regain possession of a property through the courts.
Homeowners and commercial property owners don’t follow the same legal timetable. However, an EICR (Electrician Condition Installation Report) still makes sense before a sale or a major renovation. It’s also simply good practice for an older electrical installation.
How Does an EICR Differ from an EPC?
Many landlords confuse these two certificates, so it’s worth clarifying the difference. An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) measures how energy-efficient a property is, rating it from A to G. An EICR measures something entirely different: whether the property’s electrical installation is safe. You may well need both certificates for the same rental property, since they cover completely separate legal requirements.
Understanding Your EICR Results
Your report will classify any issues found using a standard coding system:
- C1 – Danger present. This requires immediate action, since there’s a risk of injury.
- C2 – Potentially dangerous. This needs urgent remedial work, though not necessarily on the same day.
- C3 – Improvement recommended. This isn’t a legal requirement, but addressing it can improve overall safety.
- FI – Further investigation required. Something needs a closer look before it can be properly classified.
If your report comes back as “unsatisfactory,” you’ll generally need to complete any C1 or C2 remedial work within 28 days. A “satisfactory” result means your installation meets the required standard for continued use, with no urgent action needed.
What Happens During an EICR Inspection?
Our electrician visits your property at a time that suits you. During the inspection, we check the consumer unit and test circuits and sockets. We also examine the condition of visible wiring, switches and fittings. We also verify the integrity of earthing and bonding, since this plays a major role in preventing electric shocks.
The inspection is largely non-invasive, though we may need to switch off some sockets and fittings briefly during testing. Once we complete the assessment, you’ll receive your full written report. This includes a clear explanation of any codes we record and what they mean for your property.
How Long Does an EICR Take and What Does It Cost?
Most domestic (Electrician Condition Installation Report) EICR inspections take between one and three hours, depending on the property’s size and the number of circuits involved. Larger homes, HMOs and commercial properties generally take longer.
Pricing typically starts from £120 for a standard domestic property, rising for larger homes, additional circuits or HMO-specific requirements. Commercial (Electrician Condition Installation Report) EICR pricing depends heavily on the building’s size and electrical complexity. Get in touch for a fixed quote before booking, so you know your full cost upfront.
Booking Your EICR Inspection
Booking takes minutes. Call us on 01442 939006 or 07860 540077, or send your details through our online booking form. We’ll confirm an appointment that suits you, including early morning, evening and weekend slots.
Once your inspection is complete, we provide your full report promptly, so you can meet your compliance deadlines without unnecessary delay.
Areas We Cover
We provide (Electrician Condition Installation Report) EICR inspections across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and parts of London, alongside our other property compliance services in:
If you don’t see your town listed, get in touch anyway — we can often accommodate nearby bookings.
Other Property Services We Offer
An EICR often forms just one part of a landlord’s compliance checklist. We also provide:
- EPC Certificates
- Property Inventory Reports
- Fire Risk Assessments
- Legionella Risk Assessments
- Asbestos Surveys
- Professional Property Photography
Whether you need a single certificate or a complete compliance package, our team can handle everything under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an EICR if I already have a Gas Safety Certificate? Yes. These cover completely different systems and legal requirements. You need to renew a Gas Safety Certificate annually, while an EICR is typically valid for five years.
What happens if my EICR comes back unsatisfactory? You’ll need to arrange remedial work for any C1 or C2 issues, usually within 28 days. Once completed, we can confirm the work brings your installation up to standard.
Can I sell a property without an EICR? There’s no direct legal requirement for a domestic sale. However, many buyers and solicitors now request one as part of due diligence, particularly for older properties.
How is an EICR different from a new-build electrical certificate? A new build usually comes with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) from the original installer. An EICR is a periodic check carried out later, once the installation has been in use for some time.
Do HMOs have different EICR requirements? HMOs face the same five-year requirement as standard rentals. However, the inspection often takes longer due to additional circuits, shared facilities and higher occupancy.
Book Your EICR Inspection Today
Get in touch with our team to arrange your inspection or discuss your requirements. Call us on 01442-939006 or 07860 540077, or email info@smartpropertyservice.co.uk. We’ll take care of the rest.