What is an EICR and who needs one?
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a building, written up as a report. It grades any faults it finds and says whether the installation is satisfactory. Landlords in England need one at least every five years, and businesses, buyers and insurers often ask for one too.
- Written by Matthew Shore, Founder
- Updated
- 2 min read
On this page
What an EICR is
An EICR is a periodic inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a building: the consumer unit or distribution boards, the cabling, and the sockets, switches and lighting points. An electrician inspects it by eye, carries out a set of electrical tests, and records what they find in a standard report.
It covers the wiring that is part of the building, not the appliances plugged into it. Portable equipment is checked separately.
What the report tells you
Every fault is given a code. The codes decide whether the installation is recorded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory overall.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. A risk of injury that needs making safe straight away. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. Remedial work is needed. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended. Advice only, no work required. |
| FI | Further investigation advised. Not a fail on its own, but worth having looked at promptly. |
Warning
Only a C1 or C2 makes the report unsatisfactory. A C3 or an FI on its own does not. Since Amendment 4 to BS 7671, the only current edition from 15 October 2026, an FI is advice to investigate, not a fail. Reports done to the earlier edition counted an FI as unsatisfactory.
Who needs one
Some people are required by law to have one. Others are asked for one by an insurer, a buyer or a funder.
- Landlords in England, who must have rented homes inspected at least every five years and give tenants a copy of the report.
- Businesses and building owners, to meet their duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and to satisfy their insurer.
- Schools, colleges and other public buildings, as part of planned maintenance.
- Buyers and sellers, where a survey has flagged the wiring or the installation is clearly old.
An EICR and everything it called for, from a new board to emergency and LED lighting, done in two weeks around a clubhouse still in use, for EAP Devlin & Sons.
What happens on the day
Testing needs the power off in sections, so circuits are isolated one at a time and brought back on as each is finished. In a building that stays open, that is planned around the working day, or done out of hours.
How long an EICR lasts
The report states when the next inspection is due. The interval depends on the type of building and the condition of the installation, and the inspector can set a shorter one. See how often fixed wiring needs testing for the recommended intervals.
Questions
Is an EICR the same as an electrical certificate?
No. An EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation. New work is covered by an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
The report lists each fault with a code, and a C1 or C2 is what makes it unsatisfactory. We give you a free quote to fix those and to look into any FI items, then carry out the work and certify it.
How much does an EICR cost?
It depends on the size of the installation and the number of boards and circuits. Quotes are free and there's no obligation.
Sources
- Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities (GOV.UK)
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
- The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Further investigation, IET Wiring Matters (July 2026)
- Understanding BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (NICEIC)
