Everything private landlords in London need to know about the 5-year EICR legal requirement — from what the inspection covers to what happens if you fail.

Since 1 July 2020, all new private tenancies in England have been required to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). Since 1 April 2021, this was extended to all existing tenancies. If you're a private landlord anywhere in London — including Tower Hamlets, Newham or Hackney — you must have a current EICR in place or risk fines of up to £30,000.

What Is an EICR and Why Is It a Legal Requirement?

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a thorough assessment of your property's entire electrical installation. It checks the wiring, consumer unit, earthing, bonding and all circuits against the current Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). The report classifies any defects it finds using a code system: C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation required).

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 made EICR testing a legal requirement for landlords. The regulations require that all electrical installations in rented properties are inspected and tested at intervals of no more than 5 years by a qualified and competent person.

What Must a Landlord Do with the EICR?

• Obtain an EICR from a qualified inspector before a new tenancy starts (or within 28 days for existing tenancies when the previous EICR expires)
• Provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they occupy the property
• Provide a copy to prospective tenants within 28 days of their request
• Provide a copy to the local housing authority within 7 days if requested
• If the EICR is Unsatisfactory, carry out all remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if specified in the report)

What Happens If My Property Fails Its EICR?

A property is deemed to have "failed" its EICR if the report returns an Unsatisfactory result — meaning C1 or C2 codes were found. C3 codes are advisory only and do not fail the report. If your property has an Unsatisfactory EICR, the regulations require you to carry out remedial works within 28 days (or within the timeframe specified in the report if sooner) and to provide written confirmation that the work has been completed to the tenant and local authority.

A C1 (Danger Present) finding means the circuit must be isolated immediately. KLIC ELECTRICAL can carry out all C1 and C2 remedial works and re-test the installation — issuing a new Satisfactory EICR on completion. This is one of the most important parts of the service we offer landlords across East London.

How Long Does an EICR Take for a Rental Property?

For a typical 2–3 bedroom rental property, an EICR inspection takes around 3–5 hours. Larger properties with more circuits will naturally take longer. Unlike a gas safety certificate, an EICR requires disconnecting circuits individually to test them — so we do advise tenants in advance of the visit.

EICR Testing for Landlords Across East London

KLIC ELECTRICAL are NICEIC-approved and carry out EICR inspections for landlords throughout Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and wider East London. We work directly with tenants to arrange access where needed — making the whole process as hands-off as possible for landlords. We're particularly active in high-rental-density areas of the borough.

Key Facts for London Landlords

• EICR required every 5 years (or at change of tenancy if the 5-year interval falls sooner)
• Must be carried out by a "qualified and competent person" — NICEIC, NAPIT or equivalent approved contractor
• Fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance
• C1 and C2 codes require remedial works within 28 days
• HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) have had stricter electrical safety requirements since 2007
• A copy must be given to tenants — keeping a scanned copy with your tenancy records is good practice