EICR: what UK landlords must do every 5 years

Since 1 April 2021 (existing tenancies; 1 July 2020 for new ones) all rented properties in England need an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Wales is now caught too, Scotland has its own equivalent.

The basics

• Inspection by a qualified electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA registered).
• Repeat at least every 5 years (or sooner if the report says).
• Give the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days; to new tenants before move-in; to the local authority on request within 7 days.

Grades you'll see on the report

• C1 (Danger present, immediate action) - fix within 28 days, or sooner.
• C2 (Potentially dangerous) - fix within 28 days.
• C3 (Improvement recommended) - good practice, not legally required.
• FI (Further investigation) - usually a 28-day fix.

A report is "satisfactory" only if there are no C1, C2 or FI items. C3s on their own are fine.

Remedial work proof

After the work, the electrician issues a written confirmation that the C1/C2/FI items have been addressed. Keep this with the original EICR.

Track in havelo

The Compliance module stores the EICR PDF, the date, the next due date, and reminds you 30 days before expiry.

This is general guidance only.