Table of contents
Key points
- A landlord electrical safety certificate is an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report). It’s a legal requirement for privately rented homes in England.
- The electrics must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years.
- Tenants get a copy within 28 days, and any urgent faults must be fixed within 28 days.
- Councils can impose penalties of up to £40,000. Since 2025 the rules also apply to social housing.
What is a landlord electrical safety certificate?
“Landlord electrical safety certificate” is the everyday name for an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR. It’s a report from a qualified electrician that records the condition of the fixed electrical installation in a rented home and says whether it is safe for continued use.
Unlike a gas safety certificate, it isn’t renewed every year. An EICR for a rented home is usually valid for up to 5 years, unless the electrician recommends an earlier inspection.
Is an electrical safety certificate a legal requirement?
Yes, in England. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private and Social Rented Sectors guidance sets out what landlords must do:
| Duty | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Have the electrical installation inspected and tested | At least every 5 years |
| Give a copy of the report to existing tenants | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| Give a copy to new tenants | Before they move in |
| Give a copy to prospective tenants who ask | Within 28 days of the request |
| Give a copy to the council if asked | Within 7 days of the request |
| Complete remedial or investigative work | Within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so |
| Send written confirmation of the work to the tenant and council | Within 28 days of completing the work |
Social housing
From 1 November 2025, the rules were extended to the social rented sector. They apply to social tenancies granted after 1 December 2025, and to existing social tenancies from 1 May 2026, with inspections needed before 1 November 2026.
Which lets are excluded?
The rules don’t apply to lodgers sharing with the landlord or their family, long leases of 7 years or more, student halls, hostels and refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices, or mobile homes, caravans and boats.
Wales and Scotland have their own electrical safety rules for rented homes, so check local requirements if you let property outside England.
Need an electrical safety certificate in London?
Domestic EICRs from £77.99, carried out by qualified electricians, with a digital report.
What does a landlord electrical safety check cover?
The electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation, including:
- the consumer unit (fuse board) and its protective devices, such as RCDs
- fixed wiring and circuits
- sockets, switches and light fittings
- earthing and bonding
- permanently connected equipment, such as electric showers and extractor fans
- circuits for specialist equipment, such as solar panels or battery storage
It doesn’t cover portable appliances like kettles or toasters. For those, landlords often book separate PAT testing. Most homes take 2 to 4 hours, and the power will be off for some of that time.
Understanding the results
Each issue found is given a code:
| Code | Meaning | Report result |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Unsatisfactory |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Unsatisfactory |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Unsatisfactory |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Can still be satisfactory |
If the report is unsatisfactory, the remedial work must be done within 28 days. Read EICR codes explained for more detail.
Who can carry out the inspection?
The law requires a “qualified person”, meaning someone competent to inspect and test the installation. In practice, most landlords use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, which helps show the inspector was competent if the council asks.
How much does it cost?
Prices depend on the size of the property and the number of circuits. At Landlord Sure, a domestic EICR costs £77.99 for a studio and £97.99 for 1 to 3 bedrooms. See our full guide to EICR certificate cost in 2026.
What happens if you don’t have one?
Councils can impose financial penalties of up to £40,000 for breaching the regulations. They can also arrange urgent remedial work themselves and recover the cost from the landlord. A missing or unsatisfactory EICR can also cause problems with council licensing applications and insurance claims.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EICR the same as an electrical safety certificate?
Yes. “Electrical safety certificate” is the common name for an EICR when it’s done for a rented property.
How often do landlords need an electrical safety certificate?
At least every 5 years in England, or sooner if the previous report recommends it.
Do I need a new EICR for every new tenant?
No. If the current report is in date and satisfactory, you just give the new tenant a copy before they move in.
What is checked in a landlord electrical safety inspection?
The consumer unit, fixed wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding, and permanently connected equipment such as electric showers.
What is the fine for not having an EICR?
Councils can impose financial penalties of up to £40,000.
Book your landlord electrical safety certificate
Fixed prices from £77.99, qualified electricians and digital reports. Add PAT testing or a gas safety certificate to the same visit.
Sources: GOV.UK – Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance.
