EICR for HMOs and commercial premises
The test methods are the same. What changes is the scope, the interval, the amount of evidence expected and how much coordination the visit takes before anyone opens a consumer unit.
HMOs: more circuits, more scrutiny
Licensed HMOs are inspected more thoroughly than a single-family let because the consequences of a fault are higher and occupancy wear is heavier. Every final circuit is inspected in its own right, and the communal areas, landlord supplies and any fire detection interfaces are recorded properly rather than noted in passing.
Licensing conditions vary between local authorities, and the condition attached to a licence can be more demanding than the general rented sector baseline. Check the licence terms with the issuing authority, because the inspection interval and the evidence required can both be tighter.
- Every circuit inspected rather than sampled
- Communal and landlord supplies identified separately from tenant circuits
- Higher socket loading and extension lead use recorded as observations where relevant
- Fire detection supplies and interlinking checked as part of the installation
- Access coordinated across multiple occupied rooms
Commercial premises
Commercial inspection intervals are shorter than domestic ones and depend on the type of premises and its use, so the report itself sets the next inspection date rather than a blanket five years. Shops, salons, offices, takeaways and light industrial units all carry different risk profiles and different loading.
Practically, the two things that decide how long a commercial visit takes are the number of distribution boards and whether the business can lose power during trading hours. We routinely test outside opening hours, which is one of the reasons we run to 9pm and work weekends.
Emergency lighting and related records
Emergency lighting and fire alarm systems are inspected and certified under their own regimes, separately from the EICR. If you hold a commercial premises, keeping those records alongside the condition report is what usually satisfies an insurer or a licensing officer asking for evidence.
We will tell you plainly what falls inside the EICR and what does not, so you are not left assuming a document covers something it never covered.
Coordinating the visit
For a portfolio of HMOs or several trading units, the scheduling matters more than the price of any single certificate. We block book by area, keep renewal dates on file and invoice once, which is covered in more detail on the letting agent and portfolio page.
Official guidance
This guide is general information. For the final word on your own situation, use the official sources below.
Common questions
How often does an HMO need an EICR?
At least every five years under the rented sector baseline, but a licence condition can require a shorter interval, so check the terms with your local authority.
Why is an HMO more expensive than a normal house?
Because there is more to inspect and none of it can be sampled. More circuits, more accessories, communal supplies and more access coordination all add time.
Can you test our shop without closing it?
Usually, if we work early, late or on a quieter day. Some circuits must be isolated to be tested, so we plan the sequence around trading rather than pretending there will be no outage.
Does the EICR cover our emergency lighting?
No. Emergency lighting and fire alarms are certified under their own separate regimes. We will tell you clearly what the report does and does not include.
Can you handle several units in one booking?
Yes. Batch testing across a portfolio with a single invoice and renewal reminders is a normal part of what we do.