What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal record of a periodic inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit or distribution boards, protective devices, wiring, accessories, earthing and bonding. It is often called a "landlord electrical safety certificate", but it is a report, not a pass certificate: it records the condition of the installation at the time of inspection against the current edition of BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations.
The report finishes with an overall assessment of satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Any observation coded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation required) makes the report unsatisfactory. C3 items are recommendations only. Our guide to EICR codes explains each one in detail.
Who needs an EICR?
| Property | Requirement | Typical interval |
|---|---|---|
| Private rented homes (England) | Legal duty under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 | At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so |
| Social rented homes (England) | Equivalent electrical safety duties for social landlords | At least every 5 years |
| HMOs | Rented-sector duties plus any HMO licence conditions | 5 years or the interval set by the licence or report |
| Owner-occupied homes | No legal duty; recommended good practice and often requested on sale or purchase | Usually 10 years, or on change of occupancy |
| Offices, shops and workplaces | Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 duty to maintain systems to prevent danger | Set by risk; commonly 1–5 years depending on use |
For a full breakdown of the landlord duties, deadlines and penalties, read landlord electrical safety regulations explained.
What an EICR inspection includes
- Visual inspection of the consumer unit, accessories, visible wiring and signs of overheating or damage
- Dead testing: continuity of protective conductors and ring circuits, insulation resistance and polarity
- Live testing: earth fault loop impedance, prospective fault current and RCD operation
- Checks on earthing and main protective bonding to gas, water and other services
- Assessment of RCD protection, surge protection and the suitability of the installation for current use
- A coded schedule of observations, circuit-by-circuit test results and an overall assessment
- A priced remedial breakdown for any C1, C2 or FI items, so you can act within the 28-day window
EICR prices
Price depends on the number of circuits and boards, access and occupancy rather than bedrooms alone. These examples come straight from the instant EICR calculator; your final price is confirmed after a quick photo survey and never increased without your sign-off.
| Property | Example basis | Calculator estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Flat or small house | 8 circuits, 1 board, owner-occupied | from £170 |
| Rented flat | 8 circuits, 1 board, tenanted | from £180 |
| Medium house or small office | 12 circuits, 1 board | from £230 |
| Large house or large office | 20 circuits, 1 board | from £340 |
| Commercial or industrial unit | 30 circuits, 2 boards | from £535 |
Extra boards add £35 each. See how much an EICR costs for a comparison with typical market prices and what to watch for in very cheap quotes.
How long does an EICR take?
A one or two-bedroom flat usually takes 2–3 hours, a family house 3–4 hours, and an HMO or commercial unit anything from half a day to several days. Power will be off for part of the visit, so we agree timings with tenants or site managers in advance.
What happens after the inspection?
You receive the full report digitally, normally within 24 hours, stored permanently in the property's compliance passport alongside photographs and test results. If the result is unsatisfactory you also get a fixed-price remedial quote. Once remedial work is complete we issue the appropriate certificate (Minor Works or Electrical Installation Certificate) so landlords can give tenants and the local authority written confirmation within 28 days, as the regulations require.
Why book with POLARITY.Ai
- Polarity Electrics London Ltd is NICEIC enrolled (No. 602034000) and Part P registered
- Instant online estimates, with no fee increase without your approval
- Plain-English summaries of every code, not just a PDF of jargon
- A lifetime digital record for each property, ideal for agents and portfolio landlords
- One visit can combine an EICR with PAT, smoke alarm, emergency lighting and fire alarm checks