What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal document produced after a competent electrician has inspected and tested the fixed electrical installation in a building — cabling, accessories, consumer unit(s), earthing, and protective measures — and assessed it against the UK wiring rules (BS 7671). It records the outcome using observation codes (for example FI, LIM, and classification codes C1–C3 where applicable) so you have a clear snapshot of safety and compliance at the time of inspection.
Why do you need an EICR?
Electricity is invisible until something goes wrong. An EICR is the standard, recognised way to prove that a property’s electrics have been professionally assessed — not guessed at from the age of the fuse box alone.
- Landlords (England): private rented homes must have an EICR at least every five years or on change of tenancy (whichever comes first). You must supply a copy to tenants and, on request, to the local authority.
- Estate & letting agents: you are often the party coordinating access, compliance files, and renewals. A valid EICR reduces disputes at check-in, supports licensing conditions, and keeps chains moving when buyers and lenders ask for electrical paperwork.
- Rental & HMO properties: beyond the national rules, some local licences and insurer conditions ask for evidence of periodic inspection. Multi-board HMOs and converted houses frequently need a structured test plan across several consumer units.
- Commercial & workplaces: duty holders should ensure periodic inspection and testing is carried out at appropriate intervals based on use, environment, and risk — offices, shops, workshops, and communal blocks are all in scope.
Buying or selling a property
For sellers, having a recent EICR (especially a satisfactory one) can speed up conveyancing, pre-empt surveyor flags, and give buyers confidence that the installation is not hiding expensive surprises.
For buyers, an EICR before exchange (or soon after completion) gives you a factual baseline. If work is required, you can negotiate, budget, or plan upgrades before you move in — rather than discovering overloaded circuits or absent RCD protection when you already own the keys.
We never charge for a “failed” certificate in the way some firms do: if remedial work is needed, we quote that separately and aim for one clear path to a satisfactory report. Full EICR service details →