Quick Answer
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection of your home's fixed wiring by a registered electrician. Landlords are legally required to have one every 5 years. Owner-occupiers should have one every 10 years or when buying a property. Cost: £150–£350 for a typical house in 2026.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is the electrical equivalent of an MOT — it tells you the condition of the fixed wiring in your home and whether it is safe. Despite its importance, many UK homeowners have never heard of it, and many rental properties are still not compliant with the legal requirement introduced in 2020. This 2026 guide explains everything: what an EICR is, what happens during one, what the codes mean, and who needs one.
In this guide
What Does EICR Stand For?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is also sometimes called a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) — the same thing under an older name. The report is produced by a registered electrician after a formal inspection and testing of a property's fixed electrical installation.
The "fixed electrical installation" means the wiring, consumer unit, earthing and bonding, sockets, switches, light fittings, and any other fixed electrical equipment that is part of the building — not portable appliances (those are covered by PAT testing, which is a separate subject).
An EICR is not a certificate of compliance for new work — that is an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued when new work is done. An EICR assesses the condition of an existing installation and whether it remains safe.
What Does an EICR Check?
During an EICR, a registered electrician carries out both visual inspection and electrical testing. The inspection typically includes:
- Consumer unit condition — Age, type, whether it meets current standards, presence of RCDs or RCBOs
- Earthing and bonding — Main protective earth connection, supplementary bonding in bathrooms, equipotential bonding to gas and water pipes
- Wiring condition — Where visible (loft, under floors, in cupboards), checking for deterioration, overheating, or outdated materials
- Sockets and switches — Physical condition, signs of damage or arcing
- Light fittings — Secure fixing, correct lamp type
Electrical tests include insulation resistance testing (checking the insulation on cables has not broken down), polarity testing (live and neutral in the correct positions), earth continuity, and RCD operation testing. These tests can only be done with specialist equipment — they reveal faults that are impossible to spot visually.
EICR Codes: What Do They Mean?
When an electrician identifies a deficiency, they classify it with a code. Understanding these codes is essential — they determine what action you need to take and how urgently.
| Code | Meaning | Urgency | EICR Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present — risk of injury is immediate | Immediate action required | Unsatisfactory — stop using circuit if identified |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous — risk could become danger | Urgent remedial action required | Unsatisfactory |
| C3 | Improvement recommended — not immediately dangerous | Action recommended but not required | Satisfactory (with C3 noted) |
| FI | Further investigation required — cannot assess without more work | Investigation before verdict | Cannot be completed without more work |
An EICR is either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Any C1 or C2 code makes the report Unsatisfactory. C3 codes alone do not make a report Unsatisfactory — but they should still be addressed over time.
For landlords, an Unsatisfactory EICR requires remedial work to be completed within 28 days (or sooner if C1 is present), after which the installer must confirm the work is done and the installation is now satisfactory. For more on what unsafe electrics look like day-to-day, see our guide: how to tell if your electrics are safe.
Who Needs an EICR and When
Landlords — legal requirement
Since 1 July 2020 (England) and 1 December 2021 (Wales), all private landlords are legally required to have a valid EICR for all rental properties. The report must be:
- Carried out at least every 5 years (or more frequently if the report specifies)
- Completed by a qualified and competent person
- Provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Provided to new tenants before they move in
- Provided to prospective tenants within 28 days of their request
Failure to comply can result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000.
Owner-occupiers — strongly recommended
Owner-occupiers have no legal obligation, but NICEIC and the IET recommend:
- Every 10 years for a standard occupied home
- On purchase — before or immediately after buying any property
- Immediately if you notice any signs the wiring may need attention
Selling a property
There is no legal requirement to provide an EICR when selling, but buyers increasingly request them. Our guide on electrical certificates and selling your house covers this in detail.
EICR Cost and How Long It Takes
| Property Type | Typical Cost (2026) | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £150–£200 | 2–3 hours |
| 2-bed house | £180–£280 | 3–4 hours |
| 3-bed semi | £200–£300 | 4–5 hours |
| 4-bed detached | £250–£350 | 5–6 hours |
| Large house (5+ bed) | £300–£500+ | 6+ hours |
Always use a NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician for your EICR. The report must be issued by a qualified person — an unregistered inspector's report has no legal standing. If you need help finding one, our guide to finding a trustworthy electrician will help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to vacate my home during an EICR?+
No, but the electrician will need to turn off the power to individual circuits during testing. You can remain at home but should expect no power for periods of up to 30 minutes at a time as each circuit is tested. The whole house supply will not be off simultaneously.
Can I get a satisfactory EICR on an old house?+
Yes — an EICR assesses current condition against current standards, but C3 codes (improvement recommended) do not make a report unsatisfactory. Many older homes get satisfactory reports with a list of C3 items to address over time. Only C1 or C2 codes make a report unsatisfactory.
How long is an EICR valid?+
For landlords, the maximum is 5 years (or as specified in the report — sometimes shorter). For owner-occupiers, the NICEIC recommendation is 10 years. The report is specific to a point in time — electrical installations can deteriorate between reports.
What if the electrician finds a C1 code?+
A C1 code means there is immediate danger present. The electrician should make the installation safe before leaving — this may mean isolating a circuit. Remedial work to permanently fix the issue must be arranged as soon as possible.
Can the same electrician do the EICR and then the remedial work?+
Yes, and this is common and perfectly acceptable. There is no requirement for independence between the inspector and the repairer, unlike some other professional inspections. Just make sure the electrician is genuinely qualified and registered.
Is an EICR the same as a homebuyer electrical survey?+
An EICR is the most thorough type of electrical inspection. Some surveyors offer a basic visual inspection of visible electrical equipment as part of a homebuyer survey — but this is much less detailed than a full EICR with testing. For a property purchase, commission a full EICR.
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