Since 1 April 2021, every private rented property in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR. That means the first wave of five-year reports is expiring right now, in 2026, and many landlords have not booked the renewal.
This guide covers what an EICR is, how often you need one, what the result codes mean, and what happens if the report comes back unsatisfactory.
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal assessment of the fixed electrical installation in a property, the wiring, sockets, consumer unit, and fixed appliances. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation and records whether it is safe to continue in use.
It is different from PAT testing, which covers portable plug-in appliances. The EICR is about the fixed installation itself.
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
At least every 5 years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The report itself can specify a shorter interval if the inspector judges the installation needs re-checking sooner, and you must follow whichever is shorter.
Your legal obligations
As a landlord you must:
- Have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified person
- 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
- Supply the report to the local authority within 28 days if they request it
- Complete any required remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies
- Provide written confirmation that remedial work has been done to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of the work
What the result codes mean
An EICR does not simply pass or fail. Each observation is given a code, and those codes decide whether the overall report is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
| Code | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Immediate action required |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remedial work required urgently |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not urgent, no failure on its own |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Must be investigated |
A report is marked unsatisfactory if it contains any C1, C2, or FI code. A C3 on its own does not fail the report, though it is sensible to address it.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
You must carry out the remedial or investigative work within 28 days of the report, or within the shorter period the report states. Once the work is done, you must get written confirmation from a qualified electrician and pass it to your tenant and the local authority within 28 days.
A C1 code means there is a real and present danger. In practice the electrician should make the installation safe before leaving, but you remain responsible for arranging full remedial work quickly.
What happens if I miss it?
If a local authority believes you are in breach of the electrical safety duties, it can serve a remedial notice and, where a landlord fails to comply, impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000. Councils can also arrange remedial work themselves and recover the cost from the landlord.
Since 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 also removed Section 21 no-fault eviction. Landlords now rely on Section 8 grounds, which depend on being able to show compliance with obligations like this one. A missed EICR is no longer only a fine risk, it can undermine your ability to recover possession.
Quick reference
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frequency | At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says |
| Who can carry it out | A qualified electrician (e.g. NICEIC or NAPIT registered) |
| Remedial work | Within 28 days, or sooner if specified |
| Tenant copy | Within 28 days of inspection, before move-in for new tenants |
| Penalty for non-compliance | Civil penalty up to £40,000 |
For the full list of certificates every landlord needs, see the UK landlord compliance checklist.