If you let property in England, electrical safety isn’t optional — it’s the law. The rules are actually quite clear once you cut through the jargon, so here’s exactly what you must do, by when, and what happens if you don’t.

The core duty

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations, landlords must ensure the electrical installation in a rented home is inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and competent person, and that it meets the standards in BS 7671 (the wiring regulations). The output of that inspection is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

What you must do, step by step

• Get an EICR at least every 5 years (and for a new tenancy if the existing report has expired).
• Obtain the report and check whether it’s satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
• Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they move in.
• Supply a copy to the local authority within 7 days if they request it.
• Keep a copy to give to the next inspector.

The 28-day remedial rule

This is the part that catches landlords out. If the EICR identifies work classified as C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), or FI (further investigation required), the report is unsatisfactory, and you must have the remedial work or further investigation carried out within 28 days — or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period. You then need written confirmation from the electrician that the work is complete and the installation now meets the standard, and supply that to tenants and (on request) the council.

A C3 (improvement recommended) code does not make a report unsatisfactory and doesn’t carry the 28-day deadline — though it’s often sensible to address.

What counts as “qualified and competent”

The law doesn’t name a single scheme, but using a registered electrician — for example one who is NICEIC-approved — is the straightforward way to demonstrate competence. The inspector should be experienced in periodic inspection and testing, not just installation.

The penalties for non-compliance

Local authorities can serve a remedial notice and, if a landlord fails to comply, arrange the work themselves and recover costs. They can also impose financial penalties of up to £30,000 for breaches. Beyond the fines, an unsafe installation puts tenants at risk and can invalidate insurance — so this is not a corner worth cutting.

HMOs and houses in multiple occupation

HMOs carry the same 5-yearly EICR duty, often with closer scrutiny, and now also fall under the AFDD requirement for socket circuits under BS 7671. If you let an HMO, read our dedicated guidance on HMO EICR and AFDD rules.

Common landlord questions

Do I need a new EICR for every tenancy? Not if your existing report is still valid (within its 5-year period and satisfactory) — you provide a copy to the new tenant. If it’s expired, you need a fresh one.

My property is brand new — do I still need one? A new installation will have an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC); you won’t need an EICR until the report is due (typically 5 years), but you must still provide the relevant certification.

Can I do minor repairs myself? Remedial work flagged on an EICR should be done by a competent electrician and certified — that certification is what proves compliance.

Stay on the right side of the rules

The simplest way to stay compliant is to diarise your EICR dates, use a registered electrician, and act on any C1/C2/FI codes inside 28 days. GFL Electrical carry out landlord EICRs across East London and provide clear, properly coded reports plus any remedial work. See our EICR testing service or call 020 3774 5604.