EICRs & landlord electrical safety certificates

The legal position for landlords

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, a landlord must:

• Have the installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years;
• Give the tenant a copy of the report within 28 days;
• Give a copy to a new tenant before they move in;
• Supply it to the local authority within 7 days if asked;
• Carry out any C1, C2 or FI remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so) and get written confirmation it is done.

Councils can fine up to £30,000 for non-compliance. Homeowners are advised, though not required, to have an EICR every 10 years.

What the codes mean

• C1 — danger present. Immediate risk. I make it safe on the spot before leaving.
• C2 — potentially dangerous. Needs fixing promptly. C1 or C2 anywhere means the report is unsatisfactory.
• FI — further investigation required. Also makes a report unsatisfactory.
• C3 — improvement recommended. Does not make a report unsatisfactory, and does not have to be actioned. Be wary of anyone pressuring you to pay for C3 work as though it were compulsory.

One contractor, not two

The common frustration with EICRs is getting a fail from an inspector who does not do repairs, then chasing a second electrician who has to re-inspect before quoting. I do the inspection and the remedial work, and issue the paperwork at the end — one visit, one invoice, one point of contact, and no incentive for me to inflate the findings because you are free to take the report elsewhere.

Portfolios

If you have several properties, send me the addresses and I will tell you which are due and when. Landlords and letting agents with more than a couple of units get scheduled together, which keeps the cost per property down.