EICR rules for rented homes in England: a letting agent's guide to electrical safety
Electrical safety checks every five years, who gets a copy and when, the 28-day repair deadline, what C1, C2 and FI mean, and fines of up to £40,000.
Private landlords in England must have the electrical installation in a rented home inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person, and act on what the report finds. The report is usually called an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
For agencies the traps are the deadlines around the report: who gets a copy and when, how fast remedial work must be done, and proving it was done. This guide sets them out. Checked against gov.uk on 17 September 2026.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How often | At least every 5 years |
| Who does it | A qualified person, competent to inspect and test |
| Copy to existing tenants | Within 28 days of the inspection |
| Copy to new tenants | Before they move in |
| Copy to prospective tenants | Within 28 days of asking |
| Copy to the council | Within 7 days of asking |
| Remedial work | Within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so |
| Proof of repairs | Written confirmation to tenant and council within 28 days of finishing |
| Maximum penalty | Up to £40,000 |
Who gives what, and when
The landlord must give a copy of the report:
- to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and test
- to new tenants before they occupy the property
- to prospective tenants within 28 days of a request
- to the local council within 7 days of a request
Keep a copy until the next inspection is due, or done if later, and give it to the person carrying out the next inspection.
Reading the report: C1, C2, C3 and FI
| Code | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present, risk of injury | Remedial work required |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Remedial work required |
| FI | Further investigation required without delay | Investigation required |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Not required by the regulations |
A report with any C1, C2 or FI is unsatisfactory. The property is not compliant until the work or investigation is done.
The 28-day repair deadline
Where the report requires remedial work or further investigation, the landlord must have it done within 28 days, or within any shorter period the report specifies.
After the work, the landlord must get written confirmation from a qualified person that it is complete, and give that confirmation and the original report to the tenant and the council within 28 days of the work being finished.
For an agency, that is three dates to track from one report: the inspection, the repair deadline, and the confirmation deadline.
Penalties
A local council can require the work to be done and, where a landlord is in breach, impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000.
A checklist for agencies
- Record every property's EICR date and the five-year due date, with the report attached.
- Send the report to tenants within 28 days, and to new tenants before move-in.
- On an unsatisfactory report, book the electrician the same week.
- Diary the 28-day remedial deadline, or the shorter one in the report.
- Get written completion confirmation from the electrician.
- Send the report and confirmation to the tenant and council within 28 days of the work.
- Keep the report until the next inspection and hand it to the next electrician.
Where EICR fits with other duties
Electrical safety sits alongside gas safety, EPCs, deposit protection and Right to Rent. See gas safety certificates for rented homes, Right to Rent checks and the full letting agent compliance checklist.
Keeping it on track in Letfold
Letfold stores the EICR against the property with its expiry date and emails owners and managers at 60, 30, 14 and 7 days before it is due, on the day, and after it lapses. Repairs from an unsatisfactory report can go to a contractor as a job, with the landlord approving the quote in their portal. See compliance tracking.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a rented property need an EICR?
At least every five years in England, carried out by a qualified and competent person.
When must a tenant get a copy of the EICR?
Existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and new tenants before they move in.
How long does a landlord have to fix EICR faults?
28 days, or any shorter period stated in the report, for C1, C2 and further investigation items.
Is C3 on an EICR a fail?
No. C3 means improvement recommended. It does not make the report unsatisfactory on its own.
What is the fine for not having an EICR?
A local council can impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000 on a landlord in breach.
Sources
Checked on 17 September 2026:
- Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance (gov.uk)
- Guide for landlords: electrical safety standards in the private rented sector (gov.uk)
This article is general information for England, not legal advice.
Run your lettings in one place
Properties, tenancies, rent, repairs and compliance reminders, with portals for tenants, landlords and contractors.
Start your 30-day free trial