What is an EICR, and do I need one?
An EICR is a health check for the fixed wiring in a building. It is not a formality and it is not a quick look round: it is a measured inspection that ends in a written verdict of satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
What an EICR actually checks
The report covers the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit, the circuits running through the walls and floors, the accessories those circuits feed, the earthing arrangement and the bonding to gas and water services. Appliances plugged into sockets are not part of it.
The inspection combines a visual assessment with instrument testing. Continuity, insulation resistance and polarity are checked with the power off, then earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation are measured with the supply back on. Those numbers appear on the schedule of test results attached to the report.
- Consumer unit and protective devices
- Earthing arrangement and main protective bonding
- Condition of cabling, accessories and connections
- RCD operation and disconnection times
- Signs of damage, overheating, damp or unauthorised alteration
Who needs one
Landlords of domestic rented property in England and Wales are required to have the installation inspected and tested at least every five years, and to give tenants a copy of the report. Local authorities can request it. Always check the current guidance for your circumstances, because rules differ between rented, owner-occupied, HMO and commercial property.
Homeowners are not legally required to have one, but there are three moments where it is genuinely worth the money: before buying, before spending on a kitchen, extension or loft conversion, and when the installation is more than around twenty-five years old with no record of testing.
How long it takes and what disruption to expect
A typical two or three bedroom house takes two to four hours. Larger homes, subdivided houses and HMOs take longer because every supply and every final circuit must be inspected in its own right rather than sampled.
The power goes off in stages. That is unavoidable, because insulation resistance and continuity testing cannot be done on live circuits. Plan around it: freezers, home working and anyone reliant on powered equipment need warning.
Satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and what happens next
A report is unsatisfactory if it contains any C1, C2 or FI observation. C3 observations are recommendations for improvement and do not fail the report on their own.
If your report comes back unsatisfactory, you should receive a written, itemised quote for the remedial work rather than a lump sum. You are entitled to have that work done by whoever you choose, and the report can then be re-issued once the remedial work has been verified.
Official guidance
This guide is general information. For the final word on your own situation, use the official sources below.
Common questions
Is an EICR the same as a PAT test?
No. An EICR covers the fixed wiring. PAT testing covers portable appliances that plug into it. They are different jobs with different paperwork.
Will an old house automatically fail?
No. Age is not a fault. An older installation that has been maintained, has sound insulation resistance and adequate protection can pass.
Can I be present during the test?
Yes, and it is often useful. You can see what is being coded and ask about anything on the report while the electrician is still in front of it.
How long is an EICR valid?
The report states the recommended date for the next inspection. Domestic rented property is generally on a five-year cycle.