How often is an EICR required?

For private rentals in England: at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report specifies. There's no legal interval for owner-occupied homes — every ten years is the common recommendation, and on any house purchase.

Is an EICR a pass or fail?

The report is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) and FI (further investigation) observations all make it unsatisfactory; C3 items are recommendations only and don't fail it.

Who can carry out an EICR?

A qualified, competent electrician — in practice usually one registered with a scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT, with test instruments and the inspection qualification. It is not a DIY or handyman job.

TradePA › Glossary › EICR

The trades glossary · plain English · updated 10 July 2026

What is an EICR?

The short version: An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is a formal inspection of a property's electrical installation against the UK wiring regulations (BS 7671). A qualified electrician tests the wiring, boards and circuits, then grades any defects. Landlords in England must have one for rented homes at least every five years.

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The detail

Who needs one, and when

Private landlords in England are legally required to hold a satisfactory EICR for each rented property, renewed at least every five years (or sooner if the report says so), with a copy to tenants. Homeowners aren't required to have one, but they're standard practice on a house purchase, and businesses use them for insurance and safety compliance.

The codes on the report

Defects get graded: C1 — danger present, needs immediate action. C2 — potentially dangerous, remedial work required. C3 — improvement recommended (doesn't fail the report). FI — further investigation needed. A C1, a C2 or an FI makes the report unsatisfactory; for rentals in England, remedial work is then due within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so).

What it costs and how long it takes

Expect a few hours on site for a typical house — longer for bigger boards and more circuits. Pricing varies by region and size; most electricians price it as a fixed job rather than a day rate. The paperwork at the end is the product: the report itself is what the landlord, buyer or insurer actually pays for.

Where TradePA fits

And the paperwork around it?

If you're the electrician doing EICRs: TradePA issues the EICR from the job itself — real number, proper PDF — and handles the money around it. The quote told to your PA from the van, the invoice with a card link the moment you're done, and when a landlord sits on it, the reminder is already written: WhatsApp, text or email, one tap. £10 a month flat.

Fair questions.

How often is an EICR required?: For private rentals in England: at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report specifies. There's no legal interval for owner-occupied homes — every ten years is the common recommendation, and on any house purchase.
Is an EICR a pass or fail?: The report is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) and FI (further investigation) observations all make it unsatisfactory; C3 items are recommendations only and don't fail it.
Who can carry out an EICR?: A qualified, competent electrician — in practice usually one registered with a scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT, with test instruments and the inspection qualification. It is not a DIY or handyman job.

Related terms: Part P · Minor Works Certificate · Day rate vs price work. General information for UK trades, checked July 2026 — not legal, tax or compliance advice.

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