What is an EICR Certificate?
Your Complete Guide to Electrical Condition Reports
If you’ve ever come across the term EICR certificate and wondered what it actually means, you’re not alone. Electrical safety isn’t always the easiest subject to wrap your head around, but it’s one of the most important. With over 20 year’s experience, we’ve seen so many electrical emergencies. Many of which would have been avoided if the property owner had had regular condition reports.
Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, understanding what an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is and why you need one can save you money, protect your property, and, most importantly, keep people safe.
At Heritage Emergency Electrician, we’ve put together this simple guide to EICRs. We’ve also added videos and images on our EICR service page to make the process even clearer, so feel free to check those out alongside this article.
What is an Electrical Condition Report (EICR) Certificate?
An EICR, sometimes referred to as a Periodic Inspection Report or Condition Report, is a professional assessment of the fixed electrical installations in your home, rental property, or workplace.
Think of it as an MOT for your electrics. An NICEIC approved electrician (like us) inspects your wiring, sockets, switches, consumer unit, and all permanent electrical systems to make sure they are safe, compliant with current UK wiring regulations (BS 7671), and not showing signs of damage or deterioration.
When complete, you’re issued with a EICR certificate that summarises the condition of your electrics and highlights any issues that need attention.
What Does an Electrical Report (EICR) Cover?
A properly conducted EICR covers:
Wiring and connections: making sure they’re safe, secure, and not overheating.
Consumer unit (fuse box): ensuring protective devices like RCDs are working.
Sockets, switches, and fittings: checking for wear, cracks, or overheating.
Earthing and bonding: vital for preventing electric shock.
Compliance with current regulations: making sure your installation meets the standards in the latest edition of the Wiring Regulations.
Any issues are given a code:
C1 (Danger present): requires immediate action.
C2 (Potentially dangerous): urgent remedial action needed.
C3 (Improvement recommended): not dangerous but worth fixing.
FI (Further investigation required): more checks needed.
Heritage testing engineers are C&G qualified, use annually calibrated test equipment, and conduct a thorough, exhaustive inspection of your installation. Every single facet of your installation is checked so you can be confident that your electrical installation is safe.
You will be provided with a comprehensive report detailing all the inspections and tests carried out, together with test results.
The report will include (where required) details on any remedial work needed to make your installation safe for continued use.
The wording of the inspections (dictated by the IET) is not written in layman’s terms: don’t worry, your test engineer will talk you through any problems found in easy to digest language – and provide you with this advice in written form at the end of your report.
In short, we pride ourselves on being extremely thorough and transparent, for better or worse you will get a very honest appraisal of your installation!
What can you expect from Heritage Electrical?
How Much Does an EICR Cost?
The cost of an EICR can vary depending on the size and type of property. As a rough guide:
1-2 bedroom flat: from around £120–£150
3-4 bedroom house: £200–£300
Larger homes or commercial properties: priced individually
At Heritage Emergency Electrician, we provide a transparent, no-surprises quote before we start. Remember, an EICR isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s peace of mind that your electrics are safe.
When and How Often Do I Need an Electrical Report?
Homeowners: every 10 years or when you move into a new property.
Rental properties: every 5 years (or at the start of a new tenancy).
Businesses: typically every 5 years, but sometimes more often depending on the type of premises.
UK law for landlords: Since July 2020, all landlords in England are legally required to have a valid EICR carried out at least every five years. Failure to comply can lead to fines of up to £30,000.
So if you’re a landlord, this isn’t optional — it’s a legal obligation.
The Dangers of Not Having a Condition Report Done
Skipping an EICR can cause and electrical emergency and have serious consequences:
Fire risk: faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in the UK.
Electric shocks: poor earthing or damaged fittings can put lives at risk.
Invalid insurance: many insurers require proof of electrical safety checks.
Costly repairs later: small faults today can become expensive problems tomorrow.
Put simply, an EICR protects not just your property, but everyone who lives or works in it.
Condition Report Guidance for Landlords
If you’re letting out property, here’s what you need to know:
Arrange an EICR every 5 years, or sooner if recommended on the previous report.
Provide tenants with a copy of the certificate within 28 days of the inspection.
Supply the local housing authority with a copy within 7 days if requested.
Act quickly on any C1 or C2 faults — it’s your legal duty.
Failing to comply not only puts tenants at risk but can also result in heavy fines and difficulties with insurance claims. If you’ve recently had an EICR and it was unsatisfactory, read our full guide for domestic customers and private landlords.
Final Thoughts
So, what is an EICR certificate? It’s your proof that the electrical installations in your property are safe, legal, and up to standard. Whether you’re a homeowner wanting reassurance, a business ensuring compliance, or a landlord meeting your legal obligations, an EICR is an essential part of responsible property management.
At Heritage Emergency Electrician, we make the process simple, friendly, and stress-free. Check out our EICR videos and images to see what’s involved, and if you’re ready to book, get in touch today for a professional service you can trust.