EICR Compliance Guide: Landlord’s Checklist to Passing the Electrical Safety Inspection (and Remedial Costs)

19 November 2025

Electrical faults cause nearly half of all accidental domestic fires in the UK. For landlords, this makes the electrical installation the single greatest liability outside of gas safety. It’s not just about fire risk, though—it’s about legal compliance.

Since 2020, regular electrical safety checks have become mandatory, introducing a firm legal obligation that you must not ignore. This guide provides a definitive roadmap to the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), breaking down the legal mandate, explaining the inspection process, and, most importantly, preparing you for the potentially expensive remedial work that can arise.

Legal Context Snapshot

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 mandates that landlords must ensure electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified person every five years.

I. The Mandatory Legal Requirement

The EICR is not a luxury; it is a statutory obligation designed to protect tenants and property assets.

The Five-Year Rule

All privately rented properties in England must hold a valid EICR conducted by a competent person every five years. This means securing an up-to-date landlord electrical safety check is now non-negotiable.

The Document: The EICR is a formal document verifying that the electrical installation—including the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, and switches—is safe for continued use and meets current standards (BS 7671).
Who Can Issue It: The inspection must be carried out by a qualified electrician or electrical engineer competent in performing these reports, typically registered with bodies like NICEIC, Elecsa, or Napit.

The Penalty for Non-Compliance

Failure to adhere to the EICR requirements—either by not having a valid certificate or by failing to complete the necessary remedial work—can result in significant financial consequences. Local authorities have the power to impose civil penalties of up to £30,000 for serious breaches.

II. Understanding the Inspection and Grading System

During the inspection, the engineer will test the system and assign a series of codes to any defects found. These codes are the most critical part of the report, as they determine what you, the landlord, must do next.

Code	Meaning	Action Required
C1	Danger Present	Urgent Action Required. There is an immediate risk of injury or fire. Work must be addressed immediately.
C2	Potentially Dangerous	Urgent Action Required. The issue poses a potential risk. Work must be addressed as soon as possible.
C3	Improvement Recommended	No immediate danger, but an upgrade is recommended for safety, efficiency, or best practice.
FI	Further Investigation Required	The engineer could not fully test a part of the system (e.g., due to access) and further investigation is needed.

Crucial Point: If your EICR returns a C1, C2, or FI code, the landlord is legally required to complete the necessary remedial work within 28 days of the date of the inspection (or sooner if specified by the report). Failure to do so invalidates your compliance.

III. Cost Breakdown: Inspection vs. Remedial Work

When budgeting for EICR requirements for landlords UK, you need to separate the inspection cost from the potential cost of required repairs. The latter is often the biggest financial variable.

EICR Cost (The Inspection)

The price is typically calculated based on the number of circuits in the property.

Average London Flat (1-2 bed): £150 – £250
Larger House (3+ bed): £250 – £400+

Note: For a competitive quote, always specify the number of bedrooms and circuits, as this determines the scope of the inspection.

Remedial Work Cost (The Liability)

This is the high-cost area where the EICR remedial work cost is incurred, often causing the most pain for property managers.

Small Fixes (C3 and Minor C2): Replacing faulty sockets, upgrading earthing and bonding, or fixing minor issues. Costs typically range from £50 – £200 per item.
Major Fixes (C1/C2): The most common C1/C2 failure is due to an outdated consumer unit (fuse box) that lacks modern RCD protection. Complete replacement, or a partial rewire, can cause costs to quickly escalate to £800 – £3,000+, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the installation.

IV. Strategic Prevention: Passing the EICR First Time

You can take simple steps to significantly reduce the chance of receiving expensive C1/C2 codes during your inspection:

Modern Consumer Unit: If your property still uses an old fuse box with ceramic fuses, upgrade it to a modern unit with Residual Current Device (RCD) protection. This is the single most effective way to improve safety and avoid a major failure code.
Ensure Clear Access: The engineer needs clear, unhindered access to the main fuse board, the electric meter, and any distribution points. Blocked access can lead to an ‘FI’ (Further Investigation) code, which requires a follow-up visit and additional charges.
Report Tenant Modifications: Encourage tenants to report if they introduce any unauthorized electrical changes or modifications, as DIY electrical work is a common cause of serious failures that the landlord electrical safety check will uncover.
Check Bathroom/Kitchen Zone Compliance: Ensure sockets, lighting, and ventilation in high-moisture areas (like bathrooms and kitchens) adhere to current zoning regulations.

V. Conclusion

The EICR is a non-negotiable investment in legal compliance and, most importantly, tenant safety. Ignoring the mandatory check or the subsequent remedial work risks not only substantial fines (up to £30,000) but also severe liability in the event of an electrical fire.

Don’t wait for your certificate to expire. Schedule your next Electrical safety certificate cost London inspection six months in advance to provide ample time to budget for and complete any required remedial work under the strict 28-day compliance window.

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