Yes, an EICR is a legal requirement for landlords in England. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require you to have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years, share the report with tenants and fix any problems within strict deadlines. Councils can fine landlords up to £30,000 per breach.
This guide sets out exactly what the regulations require, the deadlines you need to know, how enforcement works, and some practical habits that keep you compliant without the stress.
Which regulations apply?
The main law is the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. It was phased in:
- 1 July 2020 - applied to all new private tenancies
- 1 April 2021 - applied to all existing private tenancies
In 2025 the duties were extended to social housing through the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025. New social tenancies are covered from 1 December 2025; for existing social tenancies the duties apply from 1 May 2026 and every installation must have been inspected by 1 November 2026. Housing associations and councils should read our social housing EICR deadline guide.
What landlords must do
1. Get the installation inspected and tested
You must ensure the fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified and competent person. If the report recommends a shorter interval, for example because of the installation's age or condition, you must follow that instead. The result is an electrical installation condition report, or EICR. If you are new to these reports, start with what is an EICR.
2. Share the report
| Who | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Existing tenants | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| New tenants | Before they occupy the property |
| Prospective tenants | Within 28 days of a request |
| Local housing authority | Within 7 days of a request |
You must also keep a copy of the report to give to the inspector carrying out the next inspection.
3. Fix problems on time
If the report is unsatisfactory, you must arrange remedial work or further investigation within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies. Once the work is done, you must give written confirmation to the tenant and to the local housing authority within 28 days of completion.
A report is unsatisfactory if it contains any of these codes:
- C1 - danger present, immediate action required
- C2 - potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required
- FI - further investigation required without delay
A C3 (improvement recommended) on its own does not make the report unsatisfactory. Our guides to EICR codes and what to do after an unsatisfactory EICR explain the next steps.
The £30,000 fine and how enforcement works
Local councils enforce the regulations. Where they believe a landlord is in breach, they can serve a remedial notice requiring the work to be done, and they can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per breach.
The key words are "per breach". Failing to get a report, failing to give it to tenants and failing to complete remedial work are all separate duties. A landlord who ignores several of them could face more than one penalty. Councils can also request the report at any time, and you then have just 7 days to provide it, so keeping your paperwork organised really matters.
Common questions landlords ask
Does a new tenancy mean a new EICR?
Not legally, if your current report is still within its recommended interval. You simply give the new tenant a copy before they move in. However, IET guidance suggests a five-year interval or a change of occupancy for rented homes, so many landlords choose to re-inspect between tenancies, especially if the property has been heavily used. Read more in how often do you need an EICR.
Do the regulations cover appliances?
The 2020 regulations focus on the fixed installation rather than portable appliances. Private landlords still have a general duty to make sure anything they supply is safe, and social landlords now have a specific duty to ensure equipment they provide is safe, with PAT-style checks at least every five years. See do landlords need PAT testing?
What about HMOs?
HMOs are covered by the same regulations, and HMO licence conditions may require additional evidence. Our HMO EICR guide covers this.
What other safety rules sit alongside these?
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, landlords in England must fit at least one smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation and a CO alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Details are in our landlord smoke alarm regulations guide.
Five habits that keep landlords compliant
- Diary the next inspection date from each report, not just five years from today.
- Send reports to tenants promptly and keep a record of when and how you sent them.
- Approve remedial work quickly. The 28-day clock runs from the date of the report, so delays in decision-making eat into it.
- Keep written confirmation of completed work and send it to the tenant and the council within 28 days.
- Store everything digitally so you can respond to a council request within 7 days.
How Polarity Electrics helps landlords
Polarity Electrics London Ltd is an NICEIC Approved Contractor and Part P registered, with more than eight NICEIC-certified engineers working across London and the Home Counties. Our landlord EICRs in London start from £79 for a studio flat up to £149 for a four-bedroom house, with larger homes and HMOs priced on a fixed written quote. You get:
- Same-day and next-day appointments, with no call-out charge
- A digital certificate emailed the same day, with photos and clear observations
- A remedial cost breakdown so you can act within 28 days
- A landlord portal, bulk booking and renewal reminders for portfolios
- A 12-month workmanship guarantee and £10M public liability insurance
Book your landlord EICR
Whether your report is due, overdue or you simply want peace of mind, we can help. Book online or call 0203 908 4790, 24 hours a day.
Frequently asked questions
Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords?
Yes, in England. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years and provide the report to tenants.
What is the fine for not having an EICR?
Local councils can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per breach of the regulations, for example failing to obtain a report, failing to supply it, or failing to complete required remedial work.
How long do I have to fix problems found on an EICR?
Remedial work or further investigation must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies. You must then give written confirmation to the tenant and the local housing authority within 28 days of completion.
Do the regulations apply to social housing?
Yes. The duties were extended to the social rented sector in 2025. New social tenancies are covered from 1 December 2025, and existing social tenancies must have been inspected by 1 November 2026.
Do I need to give tenants a copy of the EICR?
Yes. Existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection, new tenants before they occupy, and prospective tenants within 28 days of asking.