What the law says
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years, or sooner if the last report says so. The result is an electrical installation condition report (EICR).
Who gets a copy, and when
| Who | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Existing tenants | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| New tenants | Before they move in |
| A prospective tenant who asks in writing | Within 28 days of the request |
| Your council, if it asks | Within 7 days |
| The inspector who does the next check | When they carry it out |
Keep a copy of the report until the next inspection is done.
Reading the report
| Code | Meaning | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | Fix within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Fix within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so |
| FI | Further investigation needed | Investigate within 28 days, or sooner if stated |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not required, but worth planning |
A report with any C1, C2 or FI item is unsatisfactory. Get written confirmation from the electrician that the work is done, and give it to your tenants and to the council within 28 days of the work being completed.
Penalties
Councils can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for each breach. If you don't do urgent remedial work, the council can arrange it and recover the cost from you.
What changed in 2026
The regulations now also cover social housing, so their full name includes the social rented sector. The duties for private landlords are the same.
From 1 May 2026 the written statement of terms you give a new tenant must set out your electrical safety duties. Councils also have new powers to investigate landlords and ask for records.
How LetRecord helps
Upload the EICR and LetRecord tracks the five-year due date, the 28 days to give the report to your tenant, and, if the report is unsatisfactory, a separate 28-day clock for the remedial work.
Common questions
Does a new-build property need an EICR?
Not straight away. An Electrical Installation Certificate issued when the property was built or rewired can be used instead, until five years from its date.
Is an EICR always valid for five years?
Five years is the longest. If the inspector recommends a shorter interval on the report, the next inspection is due by that earlier date.
Do I need PAT testing as well?
The regulations cover the fixed installation, not appliances. Appliances you provide must still be safe, and portable appliance testing is a common way to show that.
Who can carry out the inspection?
A qualified and competent person. Using an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, is the simplest way to show this.
Official sources
This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not legal advice.
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