EICR for landlords: the 2026 electrical safety checklist

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is not just another certificate to save in a folder. It creates a sequence of dates, decisions and evidence that a landlord may need to produce quickly for a tenant, electrician or local council.

The quick answer for landlords in England

Landlords must make sure the fixed electrical installation in a rented home is inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. The report may require the next inspection sooner, so the date written on the document matters more than a generic five-year reminder.

The inspection covers fixed parts of the installation such as wiring, sockets, light fittings, the consumer unit and permanently connected equipment. The electrician normally records the result in an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR.

The current GOV.UK electrical safety guidance applies in England and should be checked whenever you are arranging an inspection or responding to an unsatisfactory report.

The compliance task is not finished when the inspection happens. The report, follow-up work and proof of completion all have their own deadlines.

The EICR deadlines worth putting in your calendar

A single report can create several different obligations. Keep the inspection date, expiry or next-inspection date and every delivery deadline as separate fields instead of relying on the PDF filename.

1. 1
   Existing tenant: within 28 days

   Give the existing tenant a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection and test.

2. 2
   New tenant: before occupation

   Provide the latest valid report before a new tenant occupies the property.

3. 3
   Prospective tenant: within 28 days of a request

   If a prospective tenant asks for the report in writing, supply it within 28 days.

4. 4
   Local council: within 7 days of a request

   A written request from the local council has a much shorter response window.

5. 5
   Required work: within 28 days or sooner

   Complete remedial or investigative work within 28 days, unless the report sets a shorter period.

After required work is completed, obtain written confirmation from the qualified person. Provide the report and confirmation to the tenant and local council within 28 days of completion. Acceptable evidence may include a satisfactory EICR, Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, depending on the work.

What C1, C2, C3 and FI mean

The observation codes help determine whether the installation is satisfactory and what needs to happen next. Do not treat every recommendation as identical.

• C1 — Danger present: there is a risk of injury. The inspector may make the danger safe before leaving.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous: remedial work is required.
• FI — Further investigation: investigation is required without delay and must be followed through.
• C3 — Improvement recommended: the improvement is recommended but is not required for the report to be satisfactory.

A report containing C1, C2 or FI observations will require action. Record each observation separately with the contractor, target date, status, invoice and completion certificate. That is more reliable than marking the entire report simply “done”.

The EICR record to keep for each property

A useful property record connects the safety document to the people, work and dates around it. Save the original file, but also capture the information that lets you act without reopening every attachment.

• Property and tenancy: full address and the tenants who received the report.
• Inspection: date, electrician, company, registration details and report reference.
• Outcome: satisfactory or unsatisfactory, plus every C1, C2, C3 and FI observation.
• Deadlines: tenant delivery, council request, remedial work and next inspection dates.
• Follow-up evidence: quotes, access messages, invoices, EICs, MEIWCs and written confirmation.
• Proof of delivery: when and how the report or completion evidence was sent.

Retain the report until the next inspection is due or completed, unless a newer report replaces it. Give the previous report to the person carrying out the next inspection so they can see the installation history.

Use the same property structure for your maintenance and equipment records and your wider landlord document checklist. It keeps electrical evidence beside the tenancy and contractor history instead of in an isolated compliance folder.

Do you need another EICR when the tenant changes?

Not automatically. GOV.UK says a new inspection is not required simply because the property is re-let when the existing inspection was completed less than five years ago, remains valid and does not require further investigative or remedial work. The new tenant still needs a copy before moving in.

A visual check before a new tenancy is sensible. If there is damage, deterioration or another reason to doubt the installation is safe, arrange appropriate checks rather than waiting for the scheduled date.

What about a new build or a full rewire?

A newly built or completely rewired property should have an Electrical Installation Certificate. Subject to the regulations being met, the EIC can be provided to tenants and the council and may cover the first five-year period before another inspection is required.

Common EICR questions

Is an EICR the same as a portable appliance test?

No. An EICR concerns the fixed electrical installation. Portable or landlord-provided equipment is a separate subject. The 2025 extension created specific five-year equipment-check duties for social landlords; private landlords should not assume an EICR alone proves every supplied appliance is safe.

Can the next inspection be required sooner than five years?

Yes. Five years is the maximum routine interval under these regulations. Follow an earlier date specified by the qualified person or arrange checks sooner if the condition of the installation gives cause for concern.

What happens if a landlord does not comply?

Local councils have enforcement powers, can arrange certain remedial action and recover costs, and may impose a financial penalty. Current GOV.UK guidance states that penalties for specified breaches can be up to £40,000.

How Oxyria helps with the admin

Oxyria gives each property a place for its report, contractor details, remedial work, invoices and next inspection date. Guardian can keep the deadline visible, while Recall helps find the certificate or past repair detail when it is needed.

It does not replace a qualified electrician or legal advice. Its role is to keep the evidence and follow-up work connected so a safety obligation does not disappear into an inbox.

This guide provides general organisational information for landlords in England and is not legal, electrical-safety or regulatory advice. Rules and individual circumstances can change. Check current GOV.UK guidance and use a suitably qualified professional.