Is an EICR Certificate a Legal Requirement?

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When you think about electrical safety, it’s easy to assume that if your lights work and the sockets look fine, everything’s probably okay. But electrical faults are often hidden. And when they do show themselves, it’s usually too late. 

That’s where an EICR comes in.

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an in-depth inspection and test of your property’s electrical system. It’s designed to confirm whether everything is safe, compliant, and fit for continued use.

But is it actually a legal requirement? The answer depends on what kind of property you own and how it’s used. Find out more below.

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What Is an EICR Certificate?

An EICR is a formal document provided by a qualified electrician after a full inspection and testing of the electrical installations within a property.

It checks:

• The condition of wiring, sockets, light fittings, and the consumer unit.
• Earthing and bonding arrangements.
• Whether the system meets the current BS 7671 Wiring Regulations.
• Any visible or hidden damage, deterioration, or overloaded circuits.

At the end of the inspection, you’ll receive a report outlining:

• Code C1: Danger present, meaning immediate action is required.
• Code C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent action is usually needed.
• Code C3: Improvement recommended, but it’s not unsafe. 
• FI: Further investigation required.

If the report passes, you’ll get confirmation that your installation is safe for continued use. If not, it’ll identify what needs fixing.

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Who Needs an EICR?

We’ll go into more detail below, but for landlords, it is a legal requirement. For homeowners and business premises, it isn’t, but strongly recommended. 

Landlords

Under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the electrical installations in their rented properties inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.

You must also:

• Provide a copy of the report to new tenants before they move in.
• Supply an existing tenant with a copy within 28 days of the inspection.
• Give the report to your local authority within 7 days if requested.

If issues are found, remedial work must be completed within 28 days (or sooner if specified in the report). Failure to comply with this can result in fines of up to £30,000.

For Homeowners

For homeowners, it’s not currently a legal requirement to have an EICR carried out. However, it is strongly recommended every 10 years (or whenever you buy, sell, or renovate a property).

An EICR is similar to an MOT but for your home’s electrics. It’s peace of mind that everything is working safely that you can’t see behind the walls, and it can even help with insurance claims or resale value later on.

For Businesses and Commercial Properties

In commercial and industrial settings, electrical safety falls under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which does require that all electrical systems be maintained in a safe condition.

An EICR is the recognised method of proving compliance. In these cases, regular testing is effectively a legal obligation to protect your staff, customers, and the public.

Intervals vary depending on the type of premises. For:

• Offices, shops, and schools (every 5 years).
• Industrial installations (every 3 years).
• Construction sites (every 3 months).
• Caravans and mobile units (annually).
• Rented homes in England (every 5 years).

Why Is an EICR So Important?

Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of fires in UK homes and businesses. Worn cables, loose connections, and overloaded circuits often go unnoticed until they cause a major issue.

An EICR helps to essentially identify problems before they become dangerous, keep you compliant with regulations, provide documentation for insurers or letting agencies and also protect tenants, family members, and employees from any electrical risk.

How Often Should You Get an EICR Done?

As a general guide:

• For Homeowners: Every 10 years or when selling/buying a property.
• For landlords: Every 5 years or so, or at change of tenancy.
• For commercial premises: Every 3 to 5 years, depending on use.

If your property experiences higher-than-normal electrical demand (for example, offices with lots of computer equipment or workshops with machinery), shorter intervals may be necessary.

What Happens During an EICR Inspection?

A qualified Peninsula Electrical engineer will:

• Visually inspect the system for wear and damage.
• Test circuits for proper insulation resistance and fault protection.
• Check earthing and bonding are up to standard.
• Verify consumer unit operation and protection devices.
• Record findings clearly in your report.

Most inspections take between a couple of hours to 4 hours or so, but it will depend on building size and number of circuits. If our team does find any issues, you’ll receive a detailed explanation of what’s required to bring your installation up to standard.

How to Arrange an EICR

All EICR inspections are carried out by fully qualified NICEIC-approved electricians at Peninsula Electrical, who are experienced in both domestic and commercial installations.

We’ll provide aclear quotation upfront and make sure we do testing at a time that suits you. We’ll also provide you with a detailed report with professional recommendations and a certification for your records and compliance.

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, we can help you stay safe and compliant with current UK regulations.