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 to £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 If it's missing or out of date, arrange one immediately.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.
📄 Free PDF — 2026 UK Landlord Compliance Cheat Sheet
Every Gas Safety, EICR, EPC, deposit and Right to Rent deadline on one printable A4 page. Updated for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
- Every UK statutory deadline by document type
- Maximum penalty per breach (HSE, MEES, RtR, deposit)
- What blocks a Section 8 / Form 6A possession claim
- Print-friendly A4 with checkboxes
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical EICR price for a 2-bed rental in 2026?
Many landlords pay roughly £150 to £250 depending on region and property size; London and large houses cost more. Remedial work for C1/C2 codes is quoted separately.
How much is the fine for not having an EICR in the UK?
The local authority can issue a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per property per breach under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Penalties scale with portfolio size and previous offences. You also lose the ability to serve a valid Section 21 (until abolition) and can be referred to the Database of Rogue Landlords. The fine massively outweighs the typical £150–£300 inspection cost.
How much does British Gas charge for an EICR?
British Gas EICR pricing typically sits at the higher end — around £300–£450 for a standard 2-bed flat in 2026, more for larger properties. Local NICEIC / NAPIT registered electricians usually quote £150–£250 for the same job. Both are equally legally valid as long as the engineer is NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or STROMA registered. Always check the engineer's registration card on site.
How much do EICR remedial works cost?
Remedial works depend entirely on the codes raised. Indicative ranges: minor C3 improvement works £80–£250 (e.g. RCD upgrade, new socket); C2 potentially-dangerous fixes £150–£800 (e.g. faulty consumer unit, missing earth bonding); C1 dangerous + major rewires £500–£3,000+ (e.g. full consumer unit replacement, partial rewire). Get 2–3 quotes for any C1/C2 over £400, and only re-issue the EICR as satisfactory once works are signed off and certificated.
Is skipping an EICR ever worth the saving?
No. The £30,000 maximum civil penalty per property and Section 21 invalidation far exceed inspection cost. Insurers may also refuse claims if statutory electrical safety is ignored.