Why Every Landlord Needs a Valid EICR Certificate

Since 2020, private landlords in England have been legally required to hold a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for every rental property. The rules apply to new and existing tenancies and are enforced by local authorities, with fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.

An EICR is a thorough inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property — the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches and any hard-wired appliances. A qualified electrician tests each circuit, records any faults and issues a certificate stating whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

For landlords, a satisfactory EICR must be renewed at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report recommends it. A copy must be provided to tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to the local authority within 7 days if requested.

If the report is marked unsatisfactory, remedial work must be completed within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). Common issues include outdated fuse boards, missing RCD protection, damaged sockets and poor earthing.

At Appleby Electrical we carry out EICRs across Birmingham and the Midlands for landlords, letting agents and property managers. We provide clear, jargon-free reports, competitive fixed pricing and can complete any remedial work required to bring a property back into compliance.