If you rent out a property, you already know there’s a long list of responsibilities that come with being a landlord. One of the most important – and sometimes overlooked – is making sure the electrics in your property are safe. That’s where an EICR, short for Electrical Installation Condition Report, comes in.
What exactly is an EICR?
An EICR is basically a health check for the electrics in your property. During the inspection, a qualified electrician will go through the fixed wiring – things like sockets, switches, fuse boards, and light fittings. They’ll be looking for anything unsafe, including:
Faulty or worn-out wiring
Overloaded circuits
Missing or poor earthing/bonding
Old fuse boards that don’t meet modern standards
Signs of fire or shock risks
Once the inspection is done, you’ll receive a report telling you whether the system is safe to use or if any work is needed.
Why landlords need one
Since July 2020, landlords in England have been legally required to have an EICR carried out every five years (or sooner if the report says so). You also need a valid report in place before new tenants move in.
If you don’t, you’re not just risking your tenants’ safety – you could also face fines of up to £30,000.
More than just a legal tick-box
Beyond the legal side, having an EICR done protects your investment. It highlights issues before they become dangerous, helps prevent electrical fires, and gives your tenants confidence that the property is safe. In the long run, it can even save you money by avoiding bigger, more expensive problems later.
What happens if faults are found?
If something isn’t right, the report will mark it with one of the following codes:
C1 – Immediate danger, must be fixed straight away
C2 – Potentially dangerous, needs attention soon
C3 – Not unsafe but could be improved
FI – Needs further investigation
For the property to pass, C1 and C2 issues have to be resolved.
Final word
An EICR is one of the simplest ways to make sure your property is both safe and legal. It’s peace of mind for you as a landlord and reassurance for your tenants.
At Boraq Electrical Solutions, we carry out EICRs across Birmingham and Warwickshire with clear reports, no jargon, and straightforward advice.