ELECTRAGUARD.UK

If you’ve recently had electrical work carried out, your electrician should have given you a certificate — such as an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), Minor Works Certificate, or EICR.

But how long do you actually need to keep them?

In short: you should keep your electrical certificates for as long as you own the property — and in some cases, even longer.

Here’s why they’re so important and how long each type should be retained.

Why Electrical Certificates Matter
Electrical certificates are legal and safety documents. They show that your electrical installation has been tested and complies with UK regulations such as BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and Building Regulations Part P.
You’ll need them to:
-Prove your installation is safe and compliant
-Sell or rent your property
-Provide evidence to Building Control or insurers
-Show that remedial work after an EICR has been completed correctly
Losing them can make things complicated later — especially if you need to prove compliance or safety for legal, insurance, or property sale purposes.

How Long to Keep Each Type of Certificate
Let’s break down how long you should keep each one and why.
1. ⚙️ Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
Keep for the life of the installation.
An EIC proves that a new installation, circuit, or consumer unit has been designed, installed, and tested correctly.
There’s no expiry date, so you should keep it for as long as that installation remains in use.
If you sell your home, pass it to the new owner — it adds value and reassurance that the work was professionally carried out.

2. 🧰 Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MWC)
Keep for as long as the modified circuit is in service.
These certificates cover small jobs like adding sockets or moving light fittings. They help electricians trace what changes have been made in the future.
If you make further electrical alterations later, your electrician may ask to see these.

3. 🧱 Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (Part P)
Keep indefinitely — especially for home sales.
This certificate is your proof that notifiable electrical work (such as a new consumer unit or new circuit) was registered with your local Building Control via a Competent Person Scheme (e.g. NAPIT).
You’ll need this document if you ever:
-Sell your property (solicitors often ask for it)
-Rent it out
-Prove legal compliance for insurance or mortgage purposes
If you lose it, you can often order a replacement from your electrician’s registration body (e.g. NAPIT).

4. 🔎 Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Keep until the next inspection — usually 5 or 10 years.
An EICR assesses the safety of your existing electrical installation.
-Homeowners: Recommended every 10 years
-Landlords: Required every 5 years, or at change of tenancy
Keep the report until the next inspection is completed — and if remedial work is required, keep both the EICR and the EIC that confirms the corrective work was done.
🧠 Tip: Always store EICRs and related documents together — they form a complete safety history for your property.

Best Practices for Storing Electrical Certificates
-Keep both paper and digital copies (scan or photograph originals)
-Store them somewhere safe, alongside gas safety certificates and boiler service records
-Label them by date and address
-Hand them over to your buyer, landlord agent, or tenant when needed
If you’re a landlord, keeping certificates organised is also a legal requirement — you must provide copies to tenants and the local authority upon request.

Summary: How Long to Keep Your Electrical Certificates

Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) - Life of the installation - Proves new work meets BS 7671
Minor Works Certificate (MWC) - Life of the circuit - Confirms small additions are safe
Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (Part P) - Indefinitely - Proves Building Control notification
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - Until next inspection (5 or 10 years) - Confirms ongoing safety and compliance

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09/11/2025

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