EICR and landlord electrical safety certificates in London
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, is a thorough inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property: the consumer unit, the circuits, sockets, switches and fixed fittings. Private landlords in England need one at least every five years, and one is well worth having when you buy a home or when the wiring has not been looked at for years. Our electricians carry out the inspection, explain the report in plain English, and price any remedial work separately so you can decide what happens next.
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Included in the job
- EICRs for private landlords and letting agents
- Reports for homeowners and buyers
- Testing of every circuit, the consumer unit and the earthing
- Codes and observations explained in plain English
- Remedial work priced separately
- Written confirmation once remedial work is done
Read this before you ring
You may find you can sort some of this yourself, without calling us. We are fine with that, and would rather you knew it.
What the law asks of landlords
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. Tenants must get a copy within 28 days of the inspection, new tenants before they move in, and the local council within seven days if it asks. Any remedial work the report calls for must be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
What the codes mean
C1 means danger is present and needs putting right immediately. C2 means potentially dangerous and needs urgent attention. FI means further investigation is needed. Any of these makes the report unsatisfactory. C3 means an improvement is recommended, but on its own it is not a reason for the report to fail.
On the day
How long the inspection takes depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits. The power has to be off for parts of it, so expect some time without electricity. The electrician needs to reach the consumer unit, every room and any outbuildings with power, so let tenants know in advance.
Homeowners and buyers
There is no legal deadline for owner-occupiers, but the usual recommendation is an inspection every ten years and whenever you buy a home. Older wiring, a fuse box without RCD protection, or a history of DIY alterations are all good reasons not to wait that long.
What changes the price
An EICR is priced on the size and condition of the installation. Any remedial work it calls for is priced separately afterwards, so you only commit to what the report shows is needed.
The number of circuits
A one-bedroom flat with a handful of circuits is a smaller job than a large house with several floors, an extension, outside lighting and an outbuilding. Each circuit is tested individually.
Access
The electrician needs to reach the consumer unit, every room and a sample of accessories and fittings. Locked rooms, heavily furnished tenanted homes or a consumer unit in a communal cupboard all add time.
The age of the installation
A modern, well-labelled installation tests quickly. Older wiring, undocumented alterations or a mix of old and new circuits take longer to trace and record accurately.
Remedial work
If the report is unsatisfactory, the C1, C2 and FI items are priced separately once the inspection is complete. You decide whether to use us for them.
We agree the price with you before any work begins, and accept both card and cash.
Questions we often get
How often do I need an EICR as a landlord?
At least every five years, or sooner if the last report recommends a shorter interval. A new report is also sensible after major electrical work.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
The report lists the items coded C1, C2 or FI, and those must be put right within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. We price the remedial work separately, carry it out if you want us to, and give you written confirmation once it is done, which you then pass on to your tenants and to the council if it asks.
Is an EICR the same as a gas safety certificate?
No. The gas safety record covers gas appliances and must be renewed every year. The EICR covers the fixed electrical installation and lasts up to five years for a rented home. Landlords need both, and we can arrange the two together.
Does an EICR test my appliances?
No. It covers the fixed installation: the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches and fixed fittings. Portable appliances such as kettles and lamps are checked separately, by PAT testing.
Do I need to be there for the inspection?
Someone needs to let the electrician in and make sure every room can be reached. For a rented property, the landlord or agent usually arranges access with the tenants.
Can tenants stay in during the inspection?
Yes, but the power will be off in parts of the property at times, so let them know in advance, particularly anyone working from home.
Other electrical jobs we do
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Emergency Electrician
Power loss, trips that will not reset, burning smells and water in the electrics. We take calls around the clock.
Read about Emergency Electrician -
Electrical Repairs
Tripping circuits, dead sockets, faulty lighting and extractor fans, traced and fixed with the price agreed first.
Read about Electrical Repairs -
Fuse Box Replacement
Old fuse boxes swapped for modern consumer units with RCD protection, tested, certified and notified for you.
Read about Fuse Box Replacement -
Rewiring
Full and partial rewires for houses and flats, planned around you and the other trades, then tested and certified.
Read about Rewiring -
EV Charger Installation
Home charge points surveyed, fitted, notified and certified, with any supply upgrades priced up front.
Read about EV Charger Installation
Businesses use us for EICR certificates too, among them clinics and dental practices, landlords and letting agents, holiday lets and serviced apartments, nurseries and childcare, garages and workshops, schools and colleges, and plenty of other business types.
Looking for EICR certificates in London?
Tell us what is wrong and where you are, and you will have the price before any work begins.