Is an EICR a Legal Requirement?

Is an EICR legally required in the UK?

Yes, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is legally required for rental properties in England under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Landlords must obtain an EICR every five years and provide copies to tenants and local authorities upon request. While businesses are not explicitly required by law to have an EICR, they must ensure electrical safety under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

What is the legal requirement for landlords?

The law for landlords in England

Since April 2021, all rental properties must have a valid EICR to ensure electrical safety. Landlords must:

• Have an electrical inspection every five years.
• Provide a copy of the EICR to tenants within 28 days.
• Give a copy to the local council within seven days if requested.
• Ensure any remedial work is completed within 28 days.

Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 from local authorities.

Do landlords in Wales and Scotland need an EICR?

• Wales: From 15 July 2022, EICRs became mandatory under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act.
• Scotland: Since 2015, rental properties require an EICR before a tenancy begins and then every five years under The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

Is an EICR legally required for businesses?

Unlike landlords, businesses are not fined specifically for not having an EICR. However, they are legally responsible for electrical safety under two major laws:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – Employers must ensure a safe workplace, including electrical installations.

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – All electrical systems must be maintained to prevent danger.

Failure to comply can lead to heavy fines or prosecution if unsafe electrics cause harm. In 2014, a Leeds-based company was fined £285,000 after an employee was killed due to negligence in electrical safety.

How often do businesses need an EICR?

Unlike the fixed five-year rule for landlords, business EICR requirements depend on:

• Property type and use – Offices may require an EICR every five years, while industrial sites or hotels need more frequent checks.

• Risk level – Shops and offices typically need inspections every five years, while public buildings, cinemas, and swimming pools may require annual inspections.

• Previous EICR findings – If previous reports flagged issues, more frequent checks may be needed.

What does an EICR involve?

An EICR is a detailed electrical inspection performed by a qualified electrician to assess:

• Consumer units (fuse boxes)

• Wiring and electrical fixtures

• Earthing and bonding

• Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

• Potential fire hazards

The report will assign one of the following codes:

• C1 – Immediate danger; urgent remedial action needed.

• C2 – Potential danger; urgent remedial action required.

• C3 – Improvement recommended, but not legally required.

• FI – Further investigation required before passing.

Landlords and business owners must address any C1, C2, or FI issues immediately to remain compliant.

What happens if a landlord or business fails an EICR?

• Landlords must complete remedial work within 28 days or sooner if specified.

• Businesses must take immediate action or face possible prosecution under health and safety laws.

• Local authorities can serve remedial notices and fine landlords up to £30,000.

• Insurance claims may be denied if a property does not have an up-to-date EICR and electrical faults cause damage.

Do new build properties need an EICR?

New builds do not need an EICR for the first five years but must have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), which confirms the electrical system complies with BS 7671 standards.

What about properties that have been rewired?

If a property has been completely rewired, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued instead of an EICR. This remains valid for five years, after which an EICR will be required.

Is an EICR required for every new tenant?

No, an EICR remains valid for five years, even if tenants change. However, landlords must provide a copy to all new tenants at the start of the tenancy.

How to stay compliant with EICR laws

To avoid fines and ensure safety, landlords and businesses should:

• Book an EICR with a qualified electrician.

• Follow the recommended inspection schedule.

• Address any remedial work without delay.

• Keep copies of all reports to provide to tenants or local authorities if required.

If you need an EICR for your property, Landlord Building Certificates provides expert inspections to keep you legally compliant.

Landlord Building Certificates
130 Blenheim Rd, Harrow, HA2 7AA
07300 998666