If you've been told you need an EICR — or if you're a landlord trying to understand your legal obligations — this guide explains everything clearly. EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report and it's one of the most important documents you can have for a property.
An EICR is a formal assessment of the electrical installation within a building. A qualified electrician inspects the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches and earthing, then carries out a series of electrical tests to check the condition and safety of the installation.
The report identifies anything that is dangerous, potentially dangerous, or doesn't meet current standards — and classifies each observation with a code that tells you how urgent the issue is.
It's worth noting that an EICR is an inspection of the fixed electrical installation — it doesn't cover appliances or portable equipment.
Since 2020, landlords in England are legally required to have an EICR carried out at least every five years for all rental properties. You must provide a copy of the report to tenants before they move in, and to your local council on request. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines.
There's no legal requirement for homeowners to have an EICR, but it's strongly recommended every 10 years — or sooner if the property is older, has had previous electrical problems, or you've recently bought it and don't know the history of the wiring.
Increasingly, solicitors and mortgage lenders request EICR documentation as part of the conveyancing process. Having a current satisfactory report makes for a smoother sale and gives buyers confidence in the property.
Most commercial properties require an EICR every five years as part of general electrical compliance. The exact requirement varies depending on the type of business and use of the premises.
Each observation in the report is assigned a code that tells you how serious it is:
| Code | Meaning | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present — risk of injury or death | Immediate action required |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Urgent remedial work needed |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not urgent, but worth addressing |
| FI | Further investigation required | A specific item needs closer inspection |
A report with only C3 observations can still be classed as Satisfactory. A report with any C1 or C2 observations will be classed as Unsatisfactory and remedial work should be carried out within the timeframe specified.
Landlord tip: If your EICR comes back unsatisfactory, you're required to have the remedial work completed and provide written confirmation to your tenants within 28 days — or sooner if the report specifies it.
For a typical three-bedroom house, an EICR usually takes between two and four hours. Larger properties or those with older wiring may take longer. The power will need to be off for part of the inspection, so it's worth planning around that.
For domestic properties in Darlington and the surrounding area, EICR reports start from £120. The exact cost depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits. We'll confirm a fixed price before any work starts.
We carry out EICR reports across Darlington, Teesside, Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and surrounding areas. Get in touch for a fast quote.
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