Required by law
Every
5 years
Landlord electrical safety certificates
Since the 2020 Regulations, landlords in England must have the fixed wiring inspected and tested at least every five years — and hand the report on within a set number of days.
No call-out fee. Charged by the hour, with a rough estimate before we start.
The dates that matter
These come from the Regulations rather than from us. They apply in England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run to their own rules.
5 years
How often
The fixed wiring must be inspected and tested at least every five years, and more often if the report itself says so.
28 days
To your tenants
A copy of the report goes to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
7 days
If the council asks
A copy goes to the local authority within seven days of them requesting it.
28 days
To put things right
Where a report is unsatisfactory, remedial work must be done within 28 days — or sooner if the report specifies — and written confirmation supplied.
More than one property
Several properties can be done in the same day where they are close enough together. If you are running a portfolio to one renewal date, tell us the addresses and we will work out an order that fits.
Access is the usual constraint rather than the testing. Tenants have to be in, or you have to be — so it is worth starting the conversation earlier than feels necessary.
The report reaches you, usually within a week.
If you are up against a renewal date, say so when you book and we will see what can be arranged.
Who we can send it to
The report goes to whoever commissioned it. That is the person entitled to it, and we do not release it to anyone else just because they ask.
With your say-so we will send it on — to a letting agent, to a tenant, to whoever you need to have it. Passing it to your tenants inside 28 days is your duty under the Regulations, and we would rather make that easy than technical.
What the inspection actually is
Since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords in England must have the fixed wiring inspected and tested at least every five years.
The inspection itself is an EICR. What the regulations add is the paperwork trail around it: a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, a copy to any new tenant before they move in, and a copy to the local authority within seven days if they ask for one.
Where a report is unsatisfactory, remedial work must be carried out within 28 days — or sooner if the report specifies — and written confirmation supplied to tenants and the local authority.
The rules apply to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run to their own requirements, and the intervals and duties are not identical.
It is an EICR, and everything on our EICR page about the C1, C2, C3 and FI codes applies here too.
What people say
Mizan is very professional. He arrived at the time he said and called me 30 minutes before arrival. He done the works very well and cleaned up after himself. Very satisfied and I will use him again.
Nasrin B. — Scheduled work Corgi Homeplan, with whom I have a central heating maintenance contract, had recommended Mizan to effect some electrical repair which my contract did not cover. … Competence 10, punctuality 10, demeanour/courtesy 10.
Ahmad K. — Referred by CORGI Homeplan
Certificate due, or already expired?
Tell us the address and the date you are working to. NICEIC approved, fully insured, and charged by the hour.
Landlord electrical safety certificates: common questions
The things people ask us on the phone about this one.
Not covered here? Ring 07502 396654 and ask.
How often does a rented property need an EICR?
At least every five years, and at the change of tenancy if that comes sooner. The requirement applies to the fixed wiring rather than to appliances.
When do I have to give tenants a copy?
Within 28 days of the inspection, and to a new tenant before they move in. A local authority can also request a copy, which has to be supplied within seven days.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
Anything coded C1, C2 or FI has to be put right, and the clock is 28 days from the inspection unless the report specifies a shorter period. Written confirmation that the work is done goes to the tenant and the local authority within 28 days of completing it.
What are the penalties for not having one?
Local authorities can impose penalties of up to £30,000 for breaches of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Staying on the five year cycle is considerably cheaper.
Is a landlord certificate the same as an EICR?
In practice yes — what landlords are required to obtain is a satisfactory EICR on the fixed installation. The other paperwork people mean by "landlord certificate" is usually gas, which is a different trade.