An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) certificate verifies that the electrical installation in a rental property is safe, compliant, and meets UK standards. This is a strict legal obligation for landlords, not simply a recommended safety measure. KCS Electrics offers dependable fixed wire testing and EICR inspections in London, completed by fully qualified NICEIC engineers, with transparent documentation and a quick turnaround.
Don’t risk a £30,000 fine. Book your certified London EICR inspection today and get your digital certificate within 48 hours.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a thorough, expert assessment of all the electrical equipment in a building, including wiring, outlets, lights, and the consumer unit (the fuse box). The goal is to make absolutely sure it’s all safe and doing what it should. When an electrician conducts an EICR, they look for anything that is broken, worn out, outdated, or that could lead to a shock or even a fire. They write up everything they find in a proper electrical safety report and assign each problem a rating, telling you whether it needs fixing right away or just improving, so you’re perfectly clear on how your electrics are doing.
It’s worth knowing what an EICR doesn’t cover. It only assesses the fixed wiring, sockets, and consumer unit, not the appliances themselves and not gas safety. If your rental property has gas appliances, you’ll also need a Gas Safety Certificate (CP12), renewed annually. If you supply appliances like ovens, kettles, or washing machines as part of the tenancy, those fall under PAT testing rather than the EICR. Most landlords need all three to be fully compliant.
In England, the law requires landlords to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 specify that electrical installations should be inspected and tested at least every five years; a shorter timeframe is required if the report itself indicates this is necessary. Landlords are obliged to give a current report to their tenants, and upon request, to the local council.
Not adhering to this can lead to penalties of as much as £30,000, enforcement by the authorities, issues with the speed at which a property can be rented out, and potential difficulties with insurance. The 2018 Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act essentially requires landlords to ensure their rentals are habitable and safe for people to live in.
For full compliance support, explore our Landlord Safety Certificate Services and manage all required certifications in one place.
The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) inspection we undertake is a systematic process for a thorough and precise evaluation of your electrical installation.
The inspection itself involves:
We use calibrated, professional testing tools to uncover hidden faults. Your final report will clearly categorize any issues using the standard C1, C2, C3, or FI coding system, so you know exactly what needs immediate attention.
Not sure whether an EICR covers everything you need as a landlord? Read our guide on EICR vs Gas Safety Certificate vs PAT Testing to see exactly which certificates your property requires.
The cost of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) depends on factors such as the size of the property, the number of electrical circuits, and whether it’s a house or a workplace. It’s only to be expected that checking over bigger buildings or fiddly electrical setups will take more time, and that extra time is what pushes the price up.
We offer quotations specifically designed for your property; rather than using a standard price, we aim to provide you with a cost that reflects only the necessary work, without including charges for services you don’t need.
Following completion of the EICR assessment, your report will be handled promptly. The majority of certificates are now issued electronically within 24 to 48 hours, ensuring you can meet all legal requirements efficiently.
If you let a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), the same 5-year EICR requirement applies, but inspections are often more involved due to the higher number of circuits, communal areas, and kitchens typically found in shared housing. Many local London councils also require a valid, in-date EICR as part of your HMO licence application or renewal, so it’s worth timing your inspection to align with your licensing deadlines rather than leaving it as a separate task. We regularly carry out EICRs for HMO landlords across London and can advise on what your specific council requires as part of licensing.
The value of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) depends entirely on the quality of the inspection upon which it is based. Selecting a contractor with considerable experience is the best way to be confident in the accuracy of the findings and to prevent any critical issues from being missed.
KCS Electrics is a London-based company offering EICR inspections to a standard that landlords, letting agents, and property managers can rely on.
We offer:
We know what landlords need to do, and we aim to make sticking to the rules simple. Each electrical safety report we provide accurately shows how the electrical system actually is, so you can decide what to do with clear information and won’t be puzzled.
If the report flags a C1 or C2 issue, you’re legally required to have the remedial work carried out within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies. Once the work is complete, you’ll need written confirmation from the electrician, which must be passed on to your tenant and, if requested, your local council. If a consumer unit issue is what’s flagged, our guide on consumer unit replacement after a failed EICR covers what to expect next.
Typically, an EICR’s certification is valid for five years within a rented property. However, the condition of the installation or the amount of electricity used might lead the report to suggest a shorter inspection interval.
It’s not always a legal blocker for a sale in the way it is for renting, but many solicitors, buyers, and mortgage lenders now ask for a current EICR as part of due diligence, particularly for buy-to-let purchases. Not having one can slow down a transaction even if it isn’t a strict legal requirement.
Landlords are obligated to arrange electrical testing at intervals of no less than 5 years. More frequent assessments are advisable in specific instances, such as older buildings or those with substantial electrical needs.
You need to book a qualified electrician to carry out an inspection and issue the report once testing is completed. See our EICR pricing guide for typical costs, or check who’s qualified to carry out an EICR before booking.
The legal minimum is still every 5 years, the same as any rental property. However, because HMOs see heavier electrical use and often need the report for licensing purposes, many landlords choose to have checks done more frequently as a precaution.
If you’re a landlord in London and are looking for a reliable Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) certificate, KCS Electrics can help.
We cover all of East London, North London, South London, West London, Ilford, Barking, Gants Hill, Seven Kings, Goodmayes, Canning Town, and surrounding areas. For both regular inspections and emergency assessments, we offer a simple and fast service.
Get in touch with KCS Electrics as soon as you can to arrange your EICR inspection and get your certificate quickly.
