The electrical safety regulations were implemented for existing tenancies in 2020. Your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is probably due for renewal for a lot of landlords in England, so it’s important to conduct it correctly. An EICR makes sure your appliances and wiring adhere to safety regulations by highlighting any problems that require immediate attention or further investigation.
Inspections are required by law to be completed within the time range specified in the report, and you must give your tenants a copy. In order to handle your electrical safety responsibilities, maintain your property’s compliance, and guarantee your renters’ safety and satisfaction, this guide by RawElec Swansea walks you through every step of the process.
An EICR: What is it?
An official document that evaluates the safety of a property’s electrical systems is called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The EICR, formerly known as Fixed Wire Testing, inspects outlets, fuse boxes (also known as consumer units), wiring, and other fixed electrical components to make sure they are safe and meet modern standards. To demonstrate to a landlord that your property’s electrical systems are in good operating condition before renting it out, you must have a valid EICR.
When the EICR regulations first went into force in June 2020, all new tenancies had to have a valid report. All tenancies, new and old, were subject to the requirement as of April 1, 2021. For many landlords in England, 2025 and 2026 mark a critical moment, making it more crucial than ever to maintain compliance with electrical safety regulations.
Which rental homes are subject to the electrical safety rules?
Any property where a private tenant pays rent and resides as their primary or only residence is subject to the Electrical Safety Regulations. This covers Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), as well as assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) and licenses to occupy.
There are a few exceptions, though. Social housing, lodgers, tenants with a lease of seven years or more, residence halls for students, hostels, refuges, care homes, hospitals, hospices, and other healthcare-related accommodations are exempt from the rules.
When is it necessary to give tenants an EICR?
A copy of the report must be given to tenants by landlords at:
- the start of the lease
- whenever a new contract (including renewals) is issued
- if a tenant requests it, within 28 days of receiving a written request.
Does a new tenant require a new EICR?
You don’t require a new EICR simply because you have a new tenant if your current one is still valid.
Just confirm that the electrical system hasn’t experienced any significant modifications or problems since the last assessment and that the report is current.
What is contained in a legitimate EICR?
A legitimate EICR needs to contain:
- the test and inspection results, classified as either satisfactory or, if relevant, unsatisfactory
- a collection of findings that need to be addressed or looked into further
- the date of the upcoming test and inspection
What is the duration of an EICR certificate?
The EICR is valid for a maximum of five years after it is finished.
You’ll need to have it renewed after that. Remember that you have 28 days from the date of receipt of the updated report to give a copy to any current tenants.
You may rest easy knowing that you’ve done your part to keep your property secure by scheduling your EICR or PAT with us today.
Does not possessing an EICR certificate result in a fine?
Yes. Electrical safety regulations are becoming more stringent, and landlords who fail to conduct an EICR or address any problems found risk severe financial repercussions. The maximum civil penalty for a violation increases from £30,000 to £40,000 on November 1, 2025.
These regulations must be enforced by local authorities. If an EICR reveals that the property’s electrical system is not up to par, they are required by the new requirements to send out a remedy notice.
You have 28 days from the date of this warning to finish the work, or sooner if the study identifies immediate hazards.
Additionally, the modifications give landlords significant legal protection. You may use a tenant’s refusal to allow access for the inspection as a defense against charges. Crucially, you can use this defense without having to bring the renter to court to prove that entry was refused.
What happens if the electrical inspection of a property is unsuccessful?
You will need to employ a trained specialist to complete the necessary work if the inspection report indicates that your property needs repairs to meet safety standards. Within 28 days, or sooner if the matter is deemed urgent, this must be completed.
The expert should give you written confirmation as soon as the repairs are finished. This document will either attest to the property’s current compliance with safety regulations or suggest any additional work that may be required.
After the work is finished, you have to give your tenants a copy of the original inspection report and this written certification within 28 days.
Finally, after completing the necessary work, you have 28 days to submit the same paperwork to your local housing authority.
Join the millions of landlords who have used our easy-to-use, reasonably priced service to effectively rent out their properties.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland’s electrical safety laws
In Scotland, what are the prerequisites?
Landlords are required under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to make sure that the electrical systems in their rental homes are secure. This involves routine inspections conducted by a trained and capable individual.
Registering with reputable organizations like the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland (SELECT) or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is usually a sign of competence.
An EICR, which examines the safety of fixed installations, and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), which examines any portable appliances the landlord provides, are the two components of an electrical safety assessment in Scotland.
What conditions must be met in Wales?
Since the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 went into force on December 1, 2022, landlords in Wales have had to adhere to the same electrical safety regulations as those in England. The Fitness for Human Habitation requirements include these guidelines.
At least once every five years, landlords are required to schedule a Periodic Inspection and Testing (PIT) of the electrical systems on their properties.
An EICR, which identifies any safety concerns, will be provided by a certified electrician following the examination. The property can be declared unfit for human occupancy if it is not examined every five years.
Contract holders must get a copy of the EICR within 14 days (formerly seven days) of the date of occupation.
You’ll need to arrange for additional research or finish any suggested corrective action if the inspection finds any issues. After that, you have 14 days to give contract holders written confirmation of the job.
Landlords had until December 1, 2023, to fulfill these obligations for leases that began prior to December 1, 2022.
In Northern Ireland, what are the prerequisites?
The Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024, which went into effect on December 1, 2024, are mandatory for landlords in Northern Ireland.
According to these rules, landlords must have a certified individual assess and test the electrical systems in their rental buildings at least once every five years.
Tenants must receive a copy of the electrical safety report after 28 days of the inspection, and the local council must receive a copy within 7 days upon request.
Landlords are in charge of conducting corrective or additional research if any problems are found in order to guarantee compliance.
Compliance with these rules is required for new leases beginning on or after April 1, 2025, as of the tenancy start date. Tenancies that already exist must comply by December 1, 2025.