Electrical installations don't last forever. Over time, insulation degrades, connections loosen, and circuit protection can fail. Periodic electrical testing — formally called an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — checks your installation against current safety standards and gives you a written assessment of its condition.
For commercial properties and rental homes, it's a legal requirement. For owner-occupiers, it's strongly recommended safety practice.
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation — the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, and light fittings. It's carried out by a qualified electrician using calibrated test equipment.
The result is a written report classifying any issues found:
- C1 — Danger present: immediate action required. The installation is unsafe in its current state.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: remedial work required promptly. The installation could become dangerous.
- C3 — Improvement recommended: the installation is safe but doesn't fully comply with the current edition of the wiring regulations. No immediate action needed.
- FI — Further investigation: something requires further investigation before the report can be fully completed.
A report is deemed Satisfactory if there are no C1 or C2 codes — only C3s or a clean report. A report with any C1 or C2 is Unsatisfactory, meaning remedial work is required.
How often do you need an EICR?
The recommended intervals depend on the type of property:
| Property Type | Recommended Interval | Legal Requirement? |
|---|---|---|
| Private rental (residential) | Every 5 years | Yes — since 2020 |
| HMO (house in multiple occupation) | Every 5 years | Yes |
| Commercial premises | Every 5 years | Required under H&S at Work Act |
| Industrial premises | Every 3 years | Required under H&S at Work Act |
| Swimming pools / caravan parks | Annually | Yes |
| Owner-occupied domestic | Every 10 years | Not legally required (recommended) |
What happens during a periodic inspection?
The inspection has two parts: visual inspection and instrument testing.
Visual inspection
The electrician inspects all accessible parts of the installation — the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, and any visible cabling. They check for damaged equipment, signs of overheating, and whether the installation appears to have been altered since the last inspection.
Instrument testing
Using a multifunction installation tester, the electrician tests each circuit for:
- Continuity of protective conductors (earthing)
- Insulation resistance (checking the insulation hasn't degraded)
- Polarity (confirming live, neutral and earth connections are correct)
- Earth fault loop impedance (checking the circuit protection will operate correctly)
- RCD operation (confirming RCDs trip within the required time)
How long does a commercial EICR take?
This depends heavily on the size and complexity of the installation. A small retail unit with 10–15 circuits might take 3–4 hours. A larger office with 50+ circuits could take a full day or two. We'll give you a realistic time estimate based on the number of circuits and the layout of the premises.
We aim to carry out testing out of hours where possible, to minimise disruption to your business.
What if the EICR comes back Unsatisfactory?
A C1 finding requires immediate action — you should not use that part of the installation until it's rectified. A C2 requires prompt remedial work. In the context of a rental property, you're required to carry out any remedial work identified within 28 days (or less if the report specifies).
We can quote for any remedial work at the time of inspection, and in many cases can carry out minor fixes on the same visit.
Commercial EICR — fixed price, fast certificate turnaround
We carry out periodic electrical testing across East London, with out-of-hours availability and detailed reports.
Call 020 7473 7807FAQ
No — these are completely different. An EICR tests the fixed electrical installation (wiring, consumer unit, sockets). PAT testing checks portable electrical appliances (computers, kettles, extension leads). You may need both, but they serve different purposes. See our PAT vs EICR article for a detailed comparison.
Yes. In a private rental you must give tenants at least 24 hours' written notice before attending. You must also provide the tenant with a copy of the EICR report within 28 days of the inspection, and provide a copy to new tenants before they move in.
Local authorities can serve a remedial notice on landlords who fail to carry out required inspections or remedial works. Financial penalties of up to £30,000 can apply. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set out the full requirements.