ELECTRAGUARD.UK

​​If you’ve heard the term EICR thrown around by electricians or seen it mentioned in property documents, you might be wondering — do you really need one for your home? In this post, we’ll explain what an EICR is, when it’s required in the UK, and why getting one can help protect your home, your family, and even your wallet.

What Is an EICR?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report.
It’s an official document provided by a qualified electrician after they inspect and test your home’s electrical installation.

The inspection checks for:
Damage, deterioration, or wear in wiring and components
Overloaded circuits or potential fire risks
Incorrect or outdated electrical work
Safety issues such as missing earthing or bonding
Essentially, it’s a “health check” for your electrics.

Do Homeowners Need an EICR?
If you’re a homeowner living in your own property, there’s no legal requirement to have an EICR carried out.

However, it’s highly recommended to get one at least every 10 years — or sooner if:
-Your electrical installation is over 25 years old
-You’re planning major renovations
-You’ve noticed flickering lights, burning smells, or tripping breakers or anything else.
-You’re buying or selling a home and want reassurance everything is safe

Think of it like an MOT for your electrics — not mandatory for homeowners, but extremely wise for safety and peace of mind.

What About Landlords or you are thinking of renting your home out?
If you’re a landlord in England, you are legally required to have an EICR done every 5 years (or sooner if recommended by the electrician).

You must:
-Provide a copy to your tenants within 28 days of the inspection
-Give a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested
-Fix any “unsatisfactory” issues within 28 days
-Failing to comply can lead to hefty fines of up to £30,000.

These same rules (with small variations) apply across Scotland and Wales too — though it’s always best to check local regulations.

How Much Does an EICR Cost?
The cost depends on the size and type of your property & electrical installation:
Our prices start from £170.

It’s a small investment for ensuring your electrical system is safe and up to standard.

What Happens If the Report Finds Problems?
If your EICR comes back as “unsatisfactory”, it means one or more issues need fixing before the installation can be declared safe.

The electrician will label problems as:
C1: Danger present — immediate action required
C2: Potentially dangerous — urgent remedial work needed
C3: Improvement recommended — not unsafe, but worth addressing

Once repairs are completed, your electrician can issue a new satisfactory report.

Final Thoughts
You may not legally need an EICR for your own home, but it’s one of the best ways to ensure your electrics are safe and compliant with current standards.
Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or landlord, regular electrical inspections can help prevent shocks, fires, and expensive repairs later on.

If it’s been a while since your electrics were checked — or you can’t remember when they last were — now’s the perfect time to book an EICR with us.

Our customers choose us because we’re:
-Trusted and recommended
-Local and responsive
-Qualified and insured

Call today for a free, no-obligation estimate and see why so many homeowners and businesses rate us as their go-to electrician.

05/11/2025

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