An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property. If you let a property in England you are legally required to have one, and if you own your home it is the best way to find out what state your electrics are really in.
This guide covers who needs one, how often, what the result codes mean and what happens if something fails. If you are ready to book, see our EICRs in Derby page, or our landlord EICR page if you let a property.
Who needs an EICR?
Different rules and recommendations apply depending on your situation:
- Landlords in England must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
- Landlords must give a copy of the report to their tenants, and to the local authority if it asks for one.
- Homeowners are not legally required to have one, but an inspection every ten years is the usual recommendation.
- Home buyers often have one done before purchase, because a standard survey does not test the wiring.
- Businesses should have their installation inspected regularly as part of keeping the premises safe.
If you are not sure when your property was last inspected, look for a label on or near the consumer unit. It usually shows the date of the last test and when the next one is due.
What does an EICR check?
The electrician inspects and tests the consumer unit, the wiring, the earthing and bonding, and a sample of sockets, switches and light fittings.
The power needs to be off for parts of the test, so plan for some disruption on the day.
It does not cover portable appliances. That is a separate test.
What do the codes mean?
Each issue found is given a code. C1 means danger is present and needs immediate action. C2 means potentially dangerous. FI means further investigation is needed. C3 means improvement is recommended. A report with any C1, C2 or FI codes is classed as unsatisfactory.
What happens if it fails?
An unsatisfactory report lists what needs putting right. Landlords must have the remedial work completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, and get written confirmation that it has been done. We can quote for the remedial work after the inspection.
Do I need a new consumer unit?
Not necessarily. An older consumer unit is not an automatic fail, but one without RCD protection will often be flagged. A consumer unit upgrade starts from £650 plus VAT. If the report points to wider problems, our guide to what a rewire costs in Derby explains the next step.
Book an EICR in Derby
JJS Electrical Solutions is NAPIT registered and carries out EICRs for landlords, homeowners and businesses across Derby and Derbyshire. Call 01332 492475 or send us a message to book.
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