If you're renting out a property in England, your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is probably due for renewal.

The rules came in on 1 April 2021 for all existing tenancies, and most reports last 5 years. So a lot of landlords are coming up to their first renewal right about now.

Here's a plain-English rundown of what's involved, what the rules say, and what to expect.

What is an EICR?

An EICR is a formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property: the fuse board (consumer unit), wiring, sockets, lighting circuits, protective bonding, and anything else hard-wired in.

A qualified electrician carries out a series of checks and tests, then issues a report saying whether the installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued use.

If something needs attention, the report will list it against one of four classification codes:

• C1 — danger present, risk of injury. Made safe on the spot where possible.
• C2 — potentially dangerous. Needs remedial work.
• C3 — improvement recommended, not compulsory.
• FI — further investigation required.

A report with a C1, C2 or FI is classed as unsatisfactory until the work is done.

What the law says

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

• Have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years.
• Provide a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days.
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in.
• Provide a copy to the local council within 7 days, if asked.
• Carry out any required remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so).

Fines for non-compliance can run up to £30,000 per property.

Why renewals are coming up now

The regulations applied to new tenancies from 1 July 2020, then to all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. Most reports issued at that point were valid for 5 years.

Which means if you got your EICR done around the original deadline, it's either due now or coming up shortly. Worth checking the date on your existing certificate.

What to expect on the day

An inspection usually takes a few hours, depending on the size and age of the property. The electrician will need access to the consumer unit and will need to switch the power off for parts of the testing, so it's worth giving tenants a heads-up.

Once we've finished, you'll get the report by email. If everything's satisfactory, you're done for another 5 years. If anything needs putting right, we'll talk you through it and quote any remedial work in advance, so there are no surprises.

Booking with Woodhouse

We've been looking after homes and businesses across Cheshire since 2007, and our electricians are fully qualified to carry out EICRs.

We don't charge call-out fees, and all work is quoted before we start.

If you've got more than one rental, let us know and we'll see where we can group visits to save you time.

Book your EICR or call us on 01928 733 437.