A change of tenancy is one of the best opportunities to get your rental property's electrics in order. Whether it's been a long tenancy or a quick turnaround, there are legal requirements to meet and practical checks worth doing every time — before the new tenant moves in, not after. This checklist walks you through everything. For more detail on the EICR specifically — including timings, report codes and what to do if it fails — see our guides on what an EICR is and how long an EICR takes.
Your Legal Obligations as a Landlord
Before anything else, it's worth being clear on what the law actually requires. Since 2020, landlords in England must:
- Have an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) carried out at least every five years by a qualified electrician
- Provide a copy of the current EICR to new tenants before they move in
- Provide a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of a request
- Supply the report to your local authority within 7 days if requested
- If the EICR is unsatisfactory, have remedial work completed within 28 days and provide written confirmation to your tenants
Fines up to £30,000: Local authorities can impose financial penalties on landlords who fail to comply with the electrical safety regulations. Don't leave it until a complaint is made — get ahead of it.
The Electrical Checklist
Work through the following before handing over the keys to any new tenant:
Documentation
- Valid EICR in place — no more than 5 years old (or less if the report specified a shorter interval)
- Copy of EICR ready to hand to the new tenant before move-in
- Electrical Installation Certificates available for any work carried out since the last EICR
- Building regulations completion certificate for any notifiable work (extensions, new circuits, kitchen or bathroom electrical work)
Consumer Unit
- Consumer unit is a modern unit with RCD or RCBO protection on all circuits
- All breakers are labelled clearly so tenants know which circuit is which
- No signs of scorching, overheating or loose connections inside the unit
- Consumer unit is accessible and not obstructed
Sockets and Switches
- All socket outlets and light switches are present, secure and undamaged
- No cracked or broken faceplates
- No signs of scorch marks or discolouration around any outlet
- Sockets in kitchen and bathroom are positioned at safe distances from water sources
- Shaver sockets in bathrooms are of the correct isolated type
Lighting
- All light fittings are working and have bulbs installed
- Bathroom light fittings are IP-rated (suitable for damp environments)
- External lights are weatherproof and secure
- Any outdoor or garden lighting is on a suitable outdoor-rated circuit
Appliances (if provided)
- Any landlord-supplied appliances (washing machine, fridge, cooker, etc.) are in safe working order
- PAT testing carried out on portable appliances where appropriate
- No damaged flexes, plugs or casings on any supplied appliance
- Appliance manuals available or stored in the property
Kitchen and Bathroom Electrics
- Cooker circuit is on its own dedicated circuit with the correct rating
- Electric shower (if fitted) is on its own dedicated circuit with correct isolation
- Extractor fans are working in kitchen and bathroom
- No portable appliances (such as extension leads) are permanently installed in bathrooms
Safety Devices
- Smoke alarms fitted on every floor and in good working order
- Carbon monoxide alarm fitted in any room with a fuel-burning appliance
- All alarms tested and batteries replaced if needed before tenant move-in
Outdoors and Common Areas
- External sockets are weatherproof and on an RCD-protected circuit
- Outbuilding wiring (garage, shed) is in good condition and correctly earthed
- Any security lighting or CCTV is functioning correctly
- EV charging point (if fitted) has been installed by a qualified electrician
PAT Testing for Furnished Rentals
If you provide electrical appliances as part of the tenancy — white goods, lamps, electric heaters — it's good practice to have them PAT tested before a new tenant moves in. It's not a strict legal requirement for residential landlords, but it demonstrates due diligence and can matter if an appliance causes an incident.
Telling Your Tenant About the Electrics
A good handover includes more than handing over a key. Take a few minutes to show your new tenant:
- Where the consumer unit is and how to reset a tripped breaker
- Where the main electricity isolator switch is
- How to test the smoke alarms
- What to do if they smell burning or experience an electrical problem
Providing this information reduces the risk of unnecessary callouts and helps tenants feel confident in the property from day one.
Keep records: Hold onto copies of all electrical documentation — EICRs, certificates, PAT test records and any correspondence about electrical work. If a dispute arises or a local authority requests evidence of compliance, having a clear paper trail protects you.
When to Book an EICR
Don't wait until a new tenant is ready to move in before checking whether your EICR is current. If your report is due to expire, it can take a week or two to arrange an inspection and then carry out any remedial work identified. Build EICR renewals into your annual property management schedule — ideally a few months before expiry.
We carry out EICR reports for landlords across Darlington, Teesside, Durham and the wider North East, with fast turnaround and fixed pricing. Get in touch for a quote or to check availability.
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