EICR Testing for Landlords: What You Need to Know in 2026
Since June 2020, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) have been a legal requirement for all privately rented properties in England. As a NAPIT-registered electrical contractor, we carry out EICR inspections for landlords across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire — and help property owners understand what their reports actually mean.
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal document produced after a thorough inspection and testing of a property's entire electrical installation. It assesses whether the wiring, consumer unit, earthing, bonding, sockets, switches and all associated equipment are in a satisfactory condition and compliant with current electrical safety standards (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022).
The Legal Requirement for Landlords
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must:
- Have an EICR carried out at least every 5 years (or more frequently if the report specifies)
- Carry out any remedial works specified in the report within 28 days (or sooner if specified)
- Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days and new tenants before they move in
- Provide a copy to prospective tenants within 28 days of a request
- Retain a copy and provide it to the local authority if requested
Local authorities can impose fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.
Understanding EICR Classification Codes
C1 — Danger Present
A C1 code indicates an immediate risk of injury or death. Examples: live exposed wiring, missing earth connections, severely damaged equipment. C1 defects require immediate remedial action and may mean the property cannot safely be occupied until the work is completed. You cannot issue a satisfactory EICR until all C1 and C2 items are addressed.
C2 — Potentially Dangerous
A C2 code indicates a potentially dangerous condition that poses a risk but is not causing immediate danger. Examples: inadequate earthing, outdated wiring without modern circuit protection, overloaded circuits. Remedial works must be completed within 28 days of the report date to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
C3 — Improvement Recommended
C3 codes indicate conditions that fall below current standards but are not dangerous. No remedial action is required — the EICR can be marked satisfactory with C3 observations noted. However, we always explain C3 items clearly and recommend addressing them at the earliest practical opportunity.
FI — Further Investigation Required
An FI code means the inspector was unable to determine whether a condition is safe or unsafe without additional investigation. This typically requires access to concealed wiring, opening up sections of the installation, or specialist testing equipment. FI codes must be investigated and resolved before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
What Happens During an EICR Inspection?
A thorough EICR takes between 3 and 8 hours depending on property size. Our inspection includes: visual examination of all accessible parts of the installation, testing of all circuits at the consumer unit, testing of earthing and bonding connections, polarity checks at sockets and light fittings, insulation resistance testing, and inspection of the consumer unit for compliance and condition.
EICR Costs for Landlords
EICR costs depend on the size and age of the property and the number of circuits. For a typical 2-bedroom terraced property in the North East, expect to pay £150–£250. Larger properties, those with complex installations, or very old wiring may cost more. We offer discounted rates for landlords with multiple properties — contact us to discuss a schedule.
Choosing an EICR Contractor
Your EICR must be carried out by a suitably qualified person — in practice, this means someone registered with a government-approved scheme such as NAPIT, NICEIC or the Electrical Contractors' Association. ALPS Electrical is NAPIT registered and carries out EICR inspections across the North East. We provide a clear, plain-English report and competitive quotes for any remedial work needed. Contact us for a landlord EICR quote.