How Often Do You Need an EICR? Inspection Intervals Explained

For rented homes in England you need an EICR at least every 5 years, or sooner if the previous report says so. For owner-occupied homes the recommended interval is every 10 years, and most commercial premises such as offices and shops should be inspected every 5 years. Some higher-risk locations, like swimming pools and petrol stations, need inspecting every year.

Those are the headline figures, but the date that really matters is the one written on your own report. Here is how the intervals work, where they come from, and when you should book sooner.

EICR intervals by property type

The table below shows the maximum recommended intervals from IET guidance. They are maximums, not targets – the electrician who inspects your property can recommend a shorter period.

Why landlords need an EICR every 5 years

For private landlords the 5-year interval is not just guidance – it is law. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. They require landlords to:

• have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so;
• give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to prospective tenants within 28 days of a request;
• provide a copy to the local housing authority within 7 days if requested;
• carry out any remedial or further investigation work within 28 days (or sooner if specified) and confirm in writing to the tenant and council within 28 days of completion.

Councils can impose fines of up to £30,000 per breach. You can read the full picture in our guide to landlord electrical safety regulations.

Social landlords

The duties now extend to the social rented sector. They apply to new social tenancies from 1 December 2025 and to existing social tenancies from 1 May 2026, with all installations needing to have been inspected by 1 November 2026. See our social housing EICR deadline guide for details.

HMOs

Houses in multiple occupation follow the same 5-year rule, but HMO licence conditions may also require you to produce a valid EICR on application or on request. With more occupants and often more circuits, many HMO landlords choose to keep a close eye on the renewal date. Our HMO EICR guide covers this in more depth.

How often for homeowners?

Owner-occupiers are not legally required to have an EICR, but IET guidance recommends one at least every 10 years. In practice there are several moments when it makes sense to book one regardless of the date:

• When buying a home. An EICR tells you whether you are inheriting old wiring or an outdated consumer unit before you commit. See EICRs when buying or selling a house.
• Before renovations. Knowing the installation’s condition helps you plan and budget, especially for kitchens, bathrooms and extensions.
• If you notice warning signs such as burning smells, scorch marks, flickering lights or circuits that trip repeatedly. Our article on signs your house needs rewiring lists the common ones.
• After flooding or fire damage, or if you have bought a property that has been empty for a long time.

When the next inspection date is sooner than 5 years

Every EICR includes a recommended date for the next inspection. The electrician sets this based on the age, condition and use of the installation. An older installation with signs of wear, or one in a property with heavy use, may be given a shorter interval such as 3 years.

For landlords, this matters: the regulations say “at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so”. If your last report recommended re-inspection in 3 years, that is your legal deadline, not 5.

Does a change of tenant mean a new EICR?

The regulations themselves do not require a new EICR at every change of tenancy, as long as the current report is still in date and you give the new tenant a copy before they move in. IET guidance does, however, recommend inspection on change of occupancy, and it is good practice – particularly if the previous tenant has been there for a long time or if you suspect alterations have been made.

Changes to BS 7671 and your next EICR

A change to the Wiring Regulations does not invalidate an existing EICR or shorten its interval. Amendment 4 to BS 7671 (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026) was published on 15 April 2026, and from 15 October 2026 inspections are assessed against it. Your next EICR, whenever it falls due, will be carried out against the current standard. Read more in our BS 7671 Amendment 4 guide.

Keeping track of renewal dates

The easiest way to fall foul of the regulations is simply to forget. A few practical tips:

1. Note the “next inspection” date from the report, not just the date of the last visit.
2. Book 6–8 weeks ahead so there is time to complete any remedial work within the 28-day window before the old report expires.
3. If you have several properties, align inspections where possible so they can be scheduled together.

Polarity Electrics sends renewal reminders and offers a landlord portal with bulk booking for portfolios, so certificates do not slip through the cracks.

Book your EICR

We are an NICEIC Approved Contractor covering all of London and the Home Counties, with EICRs from £79 for a studio flat up to £149 for a 4-bed house and no call-out charge. Your digital certificate is emailed the same day. See our EICR London page, check EICR costs, or go straight ahead and book online. Prefer to talk? Call 0203 908 4790.