Electrical Safety (EICR)

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced following an assessment of the electrical installations in a property. It identifies any defects, deterioration, or non-compliance with current safety standards.

Since 1 July 2020, landlords in England must:

• Have the electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years
• Obtain a report (EICR) from the inspector
• Provide a copy of the report to tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they occupy the property
• Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested
• Complete any remedial work identified as necessary within 28 days (or sooner if specified)

From 1 November 2024, the regulations were strengthened with increased penalties (up to £40,000) and mandatory enforcement by local authorities.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 requires landlords to register on the National Landlord Database and upload valid safety certificates. This means:

• You must upload your current EICR to the National Landlord Database
• You cannot market or let properties without valid electrical certification on the database
• Tenants will be able to verify your compliance status before signing a tenancy
• Failure to maintain valid registration will restrict your ability to serve possession notices

Additionally, the Decent Homes Standard will apply to private rented properties for the first time. This includes requirements around electrical safety, and properties must be free from serious (Category 1) hazards including electrical hazards.

EICR reports use classification codes to indicate the urgency of any issues found:

• C1 (Danger Present) - Immediate risk requiring urgent action
• C2 (Potentially Dangerous) - Requires remedial action
• C3 (Improvement Recommended) - Not a safety issue but could be improved
• FI (Further Investigation) - Cannot be fully assessed without additional work

Any C1 or C2 classifications mean the installation is unsatisfactory and remedial work is legally required.

Current penalties:

• Civil penalties up to £40,000 (increased from £30,000 in November 2024)
• Remedial notices from local authorities requiring immediate action
• Local authorities can arrange works themselves and recover costs
• Invalidation of Section 21 notices without a valid EICR
• Potential prosecution for serious or repeated breaches

From 1 May 2026:

• Section 21 is abolished - this penalty becomes irrelevant
• Civil penalties up to £7,000 for initial breaches, £40,000 for serious/repeated breaches
• Restrictions on using Section 8 possession grounds if not registered on the database
• Rent Repayment Orders - tenants can claim back up to 24 months' rent for certain breaches