If you let a property in England, landlord electrical safety rules require you to have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person, give your tenants a copy of the report, and put right any issues coded C1, C2 or FI within 28 days. Failing to comply can lead to significant financial penalties from the local authority.
Landlord electrical safety is one of the more straightforward legal duties to meet, provided you keep on top of the dates. Here is what it means in practice.
What you actually need
The document is an EICR, an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is an inspection and test of the fixed wiring in the property, the consumer unit, the circuits, the sockets, switches and light fittings. It is not about appliances.
The report comes back either satisfactory, meaning the installation is safe to continue in use, or unsatisfactory, meaning something needs putting right.
The codes, in plain English
This is the part that confuses most landlords, so here it is simply:
- C1, danger present. A real and immediate risk. It needs sorting straight away.
- C2, potentially dangerous. Not immediately dangerous but it could become so. Needs remedial work.
- C3, improvement recommended. Not dangerous. Worth improving, but this alone does not fail the report.
- FI, further investigation required. Something needs a closer look before it can be judged.
Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory and triggers the 28 day clock. A report with only C3s still passes, and you do not have to act on it, though it is often worth doing.
Landlord electrical safety: the timings that matter
Every five years, or sooner if the report itself specifies a shorter interval. Some do.
28 days to complete remedial work once an unsatisfactory report is issued, or sooner if the report says so. C1 items should be dealt with immediately, not in 28 days.
Copies to tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, and to prospective tenants on request.
Copies to the local authority within seven days if they ask for one.
Once remedial work is done, you need written confirmation from the electrician that it has been completed, and that goes to your tenants and, if requested, the council too.
Staying on top of it with several properties
One property is easy to remember. Five properties on five different five year cycles is where landlords come unstuck, usually because the renewal date sat in an email from four years ago.
A simple spreadsheet with the property, the inspection date, the expiry date and where the certificate is stored will save you a great deal of trouble. Set a reminder three months before each expiry, not one month, because if the report comes back unsatisfactory you will want time to get the remedial work done without rushing.
What it does not cover
An EICR covers the fixed installation. It is not the same as PAT testing, which covers portable appliances, and it is not a gas safety check. If you let furnished, any appliances you supply are your responsibility to keep safe, which is a separate exercise.
Frequently asked questions
Does this apply to all tenancies?
The regulations cover most private rented properties in England, with some limited exemptions such as long leases and certain licensed HMOs already covered by other rules. If you are unsure whether your specific arrangement is caught, check your obligations rather than assume.
What are the penalties?
Local authorities can impose substantial financial penalties for non-compliance, and can arrange remedial work themselves and recover the cost from the landlord. It is not a rule that goes unenforced.
Can my letting agent handle landlord electrical safety?
They can arrange it, but the legal responsibility stays with you as the landlord. Make sure you hold copies of the reports yourself rather than assuming the agent has it covered.
How long does an inspection take?
For a typical rented flat or house, usually a few hours, depending on the number of circuits. The tenant needs to provide access.
We carry out landlord EICRs across Surrey, with clear reports you can act on and quotes for any remedial work. Get in touch and we will get it booked.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Check your specific obligations if you let property.
