Landlords & letting agents / Electrical answers
Rented-property electrical questions, answered
The answers to frequently searched questions about electrical reports and rented homes are often oversimplified. Here is what England's official guidance actually says.
England only: private and social rented-sector duties are not identical, and there are exemptions. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules. Check the linked GOV.UK guidance for your tenancy type.
01 / Landlords & letting agents
Is an EICR only needed when a new tenant moves in?
Incorrect
Once tenants have moved in, the electrical report can be forgotten until they leave.
Correct
No. In England, landlords covered by the regulations must have the fixed installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner if the report requires it. A change of tenant does not remove that continuing duty.
02 / Landlords & letting agents
Can I wait until after move-in to give a new tenant the report?
Incorrect
The landlord can send the EICR any time during the first month of a tenancy.
Correct
No. Give a new tenant the current report before they occupy the premises. Give an existing tenant the new report within 28 days of inspection; provide it to a prospective tenant within 28 days of their request.
03 / Landlords & letting agents
Does a C3 observation mean the EICR has failed?
Incorrect
Every observation on a report is a failure and must be fixed within 28 days.
Correct
No. C3 means improvement recommended and alone does not make a report unsatisfactory. C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) and FI (further investigation required) call for prompt action; follow the report's findings and timescales.
04 / Landlords & letting agents
Is 28 days always the full time allowed for remedial work?
Incorrect
I can leave a dangerous C1 fault untouched for exactly 28 days.
Correct
No. Complete required remedial or further investigative work within 28 days or any shorter period specified in the report. A C1 presents danger and should be made safe immediately. Within 28 days after completing the work, give the tenant and local council the required report and written confirmation.
05 / Landlords & letting agents
Does the council only get a report after a complaint?
Incorrect
I can ignore a written council request unless there is an enforcement case.
Correct
No. Supply the report to the local council within seven days of receiving its request. Keep the report until the next inspection is required or completed, as the regulations specify.
06 / Landlords & letting agents
Does a private landlord have to PAT-test every tenant-owned appliance?
Incorrect
The EICR law requires testing every kettle, charger and toaster the tenant brings in.
Correct
No. The EICR duty concerns the fixed electrical installation, including permanently connected equipment. The separate five-year check for landlord-provided electrical equipment introduced for the social rented sector is not a blanket PAT duty for tenant-owned appliances. Private landlords should still keep supplied equipment safe and check other applicable duties and tenancy conditions.
07 / Landlords & letting agents
Can a letting agent's diary replace a qualified inspection?
Incorrect
An agent's visual walk-through is equivalent to a five-year EICR.
Correct
No. The regulations place the inspection-and-testing duty on the landlord and require a qualified person to produce the report. An agent can help arrange and track appointments, reports and remedial work, but a visual check does not substitute for the required inspection and testing.