EICRs Explained
Electrical safety reports,
in plain English.
An EICR is the legally required electrical MOT for rented homes and the gold-standard safety check for homeowners. Here's what it covers, why it matters, and how to book one with a NAPIT approved contractor.
Landlords (legal)
Required every 5 years for all private rentals in England. Must be issued to tenants and, on request, to the council.
Businesses & HMOs
Required for commercial premises, HMOs, hotels and shared occupancy — typically every 5 years, sometimes annually.
Homeowners
Advised every 10 years, when moving in, before major work, or if you spot tripping, scorching or old wiring.
What gets inspected
Fuse board, circuits, accessories checked, calibrated instruments.
Fuse board checked
Consumer unit condition, RCD/RCBO protection, AFDD where required, correct labelling.
Circuits & cabling checked
Insulation resistance, continuity, polarity and earth loop impedance on every circuit.
Earthing & bonding checked
Main earthing conductor and protective bonding to gas, water and structural metalwork.
Accessories checked
Sample of sockets, switches and light fittings opened, inspected and tested with calibrated instruments.
Understanding the codes
What C1, C2, C3 & FI actually mean.
An EICR is judged Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on coded observations. If your report shows C1, C2 or FI, remedial work is required to bring it up to standard.
- C1
Danger present
Risk of injury. Immediate action required.
- C2
Potentially dangerous
Urgent remedial work needed.
- C3
Improvement recommended
Not dangerous — report can still be Satisfactory.
- FI
Further investigation
Something needs digging into before a verdict can be given.
Industry standard
Working to Best Practice Guide 4.
Every EICR carried out by All Cabling Limited follows Electrical Safety First guidance — the UK charity dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. Their Best Practice Guide 4 is the industry-agreed reference for how EICRs and periodic inspections should be conducted and coded.
Best Practice Guide 4
Electrical Safety First
A concise summary of what BPG 4 covers:
- Consistent, fair use of C1, C2, C3 and FI classification codes.
- Model observations and coding examples for common installation issues.
- How to handle older installations that pre-date current BS 7671 amendments.
- Guidance on inspection extent, sampling and safe isolation.
- Surge protection, RCD/RCBO and AFDD coding recommendations.
- How to report clearly so the client understands what needs doing.
Link opens the Electrical Safety First downloads page so you always receive the current issue of the guide.
FAQ
Common EICR questions.
What is an EICR?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal document produced after a thorough inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It records the condition against BS 7671 (the UK Wiring Regulations) and flags anything unsafe or non-compliant.
Who legally needs an EICR?
Since 2020, private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every rented property, renewed at least every 5 years and given to tenants and the local authority on request. Homeowners aren't legally required to have one but are strongly advised every 10 years, or before buying/selling a property.
What is inspected during an EICR?
The consumer unit (fuse board), all circuits, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing and bonding, cabling condition, RCD/RCBO protection, and any signs of overheating, damage or DIY work. A sample of accessories is opened and tested with calibrated instruments.
How long does an EICR take?
A typical 1–3 bedroom flat or house takes 2–4 hours. Larger properties, HMOs and commercial premises take longer. The circuits must be temporarily switched off during testing.
What do C1, C2, C3 and FI codes mean?
C1 = Danger present, immediate action required. C2 = Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work. C3 = Improvement recommended (report can still be Satisfactory). FI = Further Investigation required. A report is 'Unsatisfactory' if any C1, C2 or FI codes are present.
How much does an EICR cost?
Prices vary by property size and number of circuits. Get in touch with Paul on 07770 880255 for a straight, no-obligation quote — remedial work (if any) is quoted separately.
Ready to book
NAPIT approved. Fully insured. Straight quote.
Landlord, business or homeowner — Paul will inspect, test and certify to BS 7671.