What Is an EICR and Why Do Landlords Need One?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection of all the fixed electrical wiring, consumer units, sockets and fittings in a rented property. Since 1 April 2021, it has been a legal requirement for all new private tenancies in England, and since 1 April 2022 for all existing tenancies.
A qualified electrician inspects every element of the fixed electrical installation and grades each observation:
An EICR is unsatisfactory if it contains any C1, C2 or FI observations. You must carry out the remedial work and get written confirmation from the electrician.
How Much Does an EICR Cost?
Costs vary depending on property size, age and location. Here are typical 2026 prices:
Additional remedial work (if C1 or C2 observations are found) is charged separately. Budget an additional £50–£300 depending on the issue.
How to find a qualified electrician: Look for electricians registered with NICEIC, NAPIT or Stroma. These are the government-approved bodies for domestic electrical work.
What Happens If Your EICR Expires?
This is where landlords get into serious trouble. The consequences of a lapsed EICR are significant:
1. Fine of up to £30,000 per property
Local housing authorities actively enforce EICR compliance. The maximum civil penalty is £30,000.
2. Section 21 notice becomes invalid
You cannot serve a valid Section 21 (no-fault eviction) notice if your EICR is not in date. If you serve one anyway, it will be struck out in court.
3. Local authority can carry out the work
If you fail to act, the local authority can arrange for the remedial work to be done — and recover the cost from you.
4. Prohibition notice
In serious cases, a prohibition notice can prevent tenants from occupying part or all of the property.
How Often Does an EICR Need to Be Done?
Every 5 years, or more frequently if the previous report recommended it. Some older properties with aging wiring may be recommended for more frequent inspection.
When you purchase a property with an existing tenancy, always request the latest EICR. If it's missing or out of date, arrange one immediately.
Important: An EICR is different from a periodic Portable Appliance Test (PAT test). PAT tests cover moveable appliances like kettles and washing machines. EICRs cover the fixed installation. You may need both.
LetCompliance Tracks Your EICR For You
LetCompliance tracks the expiry date of your EICR for every property and sends you reminders at 90, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry — via email or WhatsApp. Your EICR contributes 20 points to your property's compliance score.
You can upload a copy of the report directly to your document vault for safe keeping and instant retrieval if a local authority inspector requests it.