An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property. It shows whether the installation is safe to continue in use and highlights anything that needs attention.
Landlords: at least every five years
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords in England must:
- have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years;
- give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants before they move in;
- provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if asked;
- complete any required remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies.
Homeowners: every ten years
For owner-occupied homes, inspection every ten years is the general recommendation — and it's sensible to have one when you buy or sell a property, after a flood or fire, or if the installation is old.
Businesses: commonly every five years
For commercial premises, five years is a common interval, but some types of premises need more frequent inspection depending on their use and environment. The person carrying out the inspection will recommend the date of the next one.
What the codes mean
Observations are coded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended) or FI (further investigation needed). Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory.
Book an EICR
We carry out EICRs for landlords, homeowners and businesses across Wolverhampton. See our EICR and testing service or call 01902 544323.