The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The results are recorded in an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
An EICR must be obtained before a new tenancy begins and at intervals of no more than five years thereafter. The report must be provided to tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to the local authority within seven days if requested.
If the EICR identifies any unsatisfactory conditions (coded C1, C2, or FI), the landlord must complete the necessary remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). Written confirmation of the completed work must be provided to tenants and the local authority.
Local authorities can impose financial penalties of up to £30,000 for each breach of the regulations. They can also arrange for remedial work to be carried out and recover the costs from the landlord.
Common issues identified in EICRs include outdated consumer units without RCD protection, deteriorated wiring insulation, missing earthing or bonding, and overloaded circuits. Property managers should plan for potential remedial costs when scheduling inspections.
Custodia tracks EICR dates across your portfolio, alerts you before certificates expire, and logs all remedial actions with supporting documentation for a complete compliance audit trail.