Landlords: get the EICR done before the autumn rush, not during it

Every autumn brings the same conversation: a tenancy starting in a fortnight, an EICR that has not been done, and a report that comes back with work on it. The regulations do not bend for a moving date, so the only way to avoid that squeeze is to be ahead of it.

What the law actually requires

In England, a landlord must have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years, give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days, and give it to a new tenant before they move in. A prospective tenant who asks must be given it within 28 days.

The full detail, including what happens when a report comes back unsatisfactory, is set out in our guide to the landlord rules.

Why timing matters more than people expect

An EICR is not a pass-or-fail sticker. It is an inspection producing a list of observations, and anything coded C1, C2 or FI has to be put right. Remedial work takes time to schedule, and in an occupied property it takes access. Discovering that with a tenant due on Saturday is how a straightforward job becomes an expensive one.

Practical points for a portfolio

• Diarise from the report date, not the tenancy date — the five years runs from the inspection.
• Several properties can usually be done in a day if they are reasonably close together.
• Arrange access properly. A tester who cannot reach the consumer unit, the loft or a locked room cannot complete the report.
• Keep the certificates somewhere you can produce them within 28 days of being asked.

Who the report belongs to

Whoever commissioned the inspection owns the report. If an agent or a tenant wants a copy that is fine, but it comes from the person who commissioned it, or with their consent.

If you are unsure, it is always cheaper to ask than to guess. Give us a call and we will tell you straight.