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EICR & SafetyApril 20256 min read

What Is an EICR Certificate and Do You Need One?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a legal requirement for landlords — but many homeowners should have one too. This guide explains what an EICR covers and what to do with the results.

What Is an EICR?

An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is a formal inspection of a property's fixed electrical installation. That includes the wiring, consumer unit (fuse box), sockets, switches, lighting, earthing, and bonding.

A qualified electrician carries out a series of visual checks and electrical tests, then produces a written report that grades any issues found. The report concludes with one of two outcomes: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.

The EICR replaced the older Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) and is now the standard document required by law for rental properties in England.

What Does an EICR Inspection Check?

A thorough EICR covers every accessible part of the fixed installation. Here's what our inspectors test:

Consumer unit
Age, condition, type of circuit breakers, RCD protection, and labelling. Older fuse boxes with rewireable fuses or no RCD protection are typically flagged.
Wiring and circuits
Insulation resistance, ring circuit continuity, and the general condition of accessible cables. Older rubber or lead-sheathed cables are a common C2 code.
Earthing and bonding
The main earth connection, bonding to gas and water pipes, and supplementary bonding in bathrooms and kitchens.
Sockets, switches, and accessories
Correct wiring, secure mounting, and visible condition. Cracked faceplates or reversed polarity are often found in older properties.
Special locations
Bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor installations have stricter zone requirements. Incorrect cable routing or missing supplementary bonding are frequent findings.

Understanding EICR Codes

Each issue found during an EICR is given a code that indicates its severity. Here's what each one means:

C1Danger Present

There is an immediate risk of injury. The installation is Unsatisfactory and must be made safe before re-letting. We can isolate the hazard during the inspection if required.

C2Potentially Dangerous

Not an immediate danger but requires urgent attention. The installation is Unsatisfactory and remedial work must be completed within 28 days.

C3Improvement Recommended

The installation doesn't meet the latest standards but isn't dangerous. The EICR can still be Satisfactory. Action is recommended but not legally required.

FIFurther Investigation Required

Something needs further investigation before a grade can be given. This often means concealed wiring that the inspector couldn't access.

Who Legally Needs an EICR?

Since 1 July 2020, all private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every rental property. The inspection must be carried out every five years — and before the start of any new tenancy.

A copy of the EICR must be given to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection. If you're a landlord and your local authority asks to see the report, you must provide it within 7 days.

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

Important for landlords
The EICR must be carried out by a "qualified and competent" person. NICEIC approved contractors (like Wired Weston) automatically satisfy this requirement.

Should Homeowners Get an EICR?

Owner-occupiers aren't legally required to have an EICR, but it's strongly recommended in these situations:

  • When buying a property — an EICR before exchange of contracts gives you a clear picture of any electrical issues
  • Every 10 years for a standard home, or every 5 years if any occupant has a medical condition affected by electricity
  • When moving into an older property where you don't know the history of the electrical installation
  • After any major electrical work, flooding, or fire damage
  • If you notice warning signs — flickering lights, tripping breakers, burning smells, or discoloured sockets

How Long Does an EICR Take?

Most EICR inspections take 2–4 hours for a typical rental property. The time depends on:

  • Property size — more circuits means more testing time
  • Age and condition of the wiring — older wiring requires more checks
  • Number of special locations (bathrooms, outbuildings)
  • Access to consumer unit and cable runs

At Wired Weston, we issue your certificate by email promptly after the inspection — so you're not waiting long for your paperwork.

What Happens If My EICR Fails?

An Unsatisfactory result doesn't mean your property is condemned. It means there are C1 or C2 issues that need to be fixed within 28 days. Here's what to do:

1
Read the report carefully — it lists every observation with a code and description.
2
Contact a qualified electrician (this can be the same one who did the inspection) to quote for the remedial work.
3
Get the work done and a re-test or completion certificate issued within the 28-day window.
4
Give the new Satisfactory certificate to your tenant within 28 days of the original inspection.

Wired Weston carries out all common remedial work in-house — consumer unit replacements, earthing corrections, socket and switch replacements — so you don't need to coordinate a second contractor.