EICR every 5 years: what UK landlords need to know

If you rent out a property in the UK, at some point you've probably heard that you need an EICR. What you might not have heard — until you're trying to figure out whether it's every 5 years or every 10, or whether it applies to your Scotland property the same way it applies to your English one — is the detail.

This guide covers what an EICR is, how often you legally need one, who can issue one, what it costs, and what to do with the report once you have it.

What is an EICR?

An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is a documented inspection of the fixed electrical systems in a property. A qualified electrician visits, tests the wiring, the sockets, the light fittings, and the consumer unit, and produces a report grading each circuit as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

If the report flags any issues — damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, missing earthing — you'll get a list of observations codes C1, C2, or C3:

C1 — Danger present. Requires immediate remedial action.
C2 — Potentially dangerous. Requires urgent remedial action.
C3 — Improvement recommended. Not legally required to fix, but recommended.
FI — Further investigation required before assessment is possible.

A C1 or C2 on your EICR means the property may not meet the electrical safety standard until the issues are resolved.

How often do landlords need an EICR?

This is where it gets country-specific.

England: Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have an EICR carried out by a qualified person at least every 5 years, or more frequently if the report recommends it. The first EICR must have been completed by 1 April 2021 for existing properties, or before the first tenancy for new ones.

Scotland: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 and subsequent regulations require a Scottish Single Point of Access (SPOE) certificate — effectively an EICR — to be obtained before a property is let, and renewed every 5 years. The system is administered through the Scottish Government.

Wales: Similar requirements apply under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2022, with EICRs required at least every 5 years.

Always check with your local authority or a qualified electrician for the most current requirements for your specific property and tenancy type, particularly for licencing schemes which may impose shorter intervals.

Who can issue an EICR?

Only a qualified and competent electrician can issue an EICR. There is no single official register for electrical competence in England (unlike Gas Safe for gas work), but electricians registered with a Competent Person Scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA are generally accepted as meeting the requirement.

For properties in Scotland, the electrician should be registered with a scheme that allows them to issue a Scottish Single Point of Access certificate.

Ask the electrician before booking if you're unsure. A standard domestic electrical test is not the same as an EICR — make sure the written report is explicitly described as an EICR before you pay.

How much does an EICR cost in 2026?

Costs vary significantly by location, property size, and demand. As a rough guide:

1-bedroom flat: £100–£180
2–3 bedroom house: £150–£250
4+ bedroom house or HMO: £200–£400+

Prices tend to be higher in London and the South East, and lower in parts of Scotland and the North. Shop around — quotes for the same property can vary by £50–£100 depending on the electrician.

Factor it into your annual cost of ownership. If you're on a tight margin, a missed EICR deadline leading to a local authority enforcement notice can cost far more than the inspection itself.

What happens if the report flags issues?

A satisfactory EICR — no C1 or C2 codes — can be filed and you're compliant until the next inspection is due.

An unsatisfactory EICR (one or more C1 or C2 codes) is a different situation. Under the English regulations, you must:

Carry out the remedial work within 28 days (or within the period specified in the report if shorter)
Provide written confirmation to the local authority that the work has been completed
Obtain a new EICR if the original work was sufficiently extensive

If you don't, the local authority can serve a remediation notice and can, in serious cases, issue a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

The practical note here: even before you get to enforcement, a C1 or C2 finding means your property's electrical installation is not safe. Fix it.

What to do with the EICR once you have it

Give a copy to your tenant — they're entitled to it under the regulations
Keep a copy — you need to retain it for the duration of the tenancy and for at least two years after
Log the expiry date — set a reminder 6–8 weeks before the next inspection is due, so you're not caught out

This last point is where landlords run into trouble most often. The 5-year cycle sounds manageable until you're three years in and can't remember whether you had an EICR done in 2022 or 2023, and whether the electrician said it was valid for 5 years or was recommending 3. Keep your own record. LandlordsDiary will track the next due date automatically.

Don't miss the next EICR deadline

LandlordsDiary tracks all your compliance certificates — including EICR — in one dashboard, with email reminders before anything expires. One property is free. Start tracking your compliance today.

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This guide reflects current UK electrical safety regulations as of mid-2026. It is not legal advice. If you have specific questions about your obligations, consult a qualified electrician or a letting agent familiar with your local authority's requirements.