Safety certificates
Landlord EICR: the 5-year electrical safety rule explained
Since 2020, every rented home in England needs a satisfactory electrical inspection report. This is what 'satisfactory' means and what happens if you slip.
The requirement
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
You must give the tenant a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) within 28 days, and a copy to the local authority within seven days if requested.
Acting on the results
- If the report requires remedial or investigative work (codes C1, C2 or FI), you must complete it within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies.
- You must obtain written confirmation the work has made the installation safe and supply it to the tenant and, if asked, the council.
Penalties
A local authority can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for a breach, and can arrange remedial work itself and recover the cost from the landlord.
Last reviewed September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice - always check your local authority's requirements.
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