EICR Electrical TestingCertificates Issued Same Day

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — formerly known as a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) — is a formal assessment of your property's electrical installation. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the fixed wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, and associated equipment to identify defects, deterioration, and departures from current safety standards.

An EICR is essential when:

• You're a landlord — EICRs are legally required every 5 years for rental properties
• You're buying or selling a property and need assurance about electrical safety
• Your property is over 10 years old and has never been inspected
• You've experienced electrical problems or electrical emergencies
• You're planning renovation work and need to understand your installation's condition
• Your insurance company requests evidence of electrical safety

Who needs EICR testing? Landlords across Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, and London are legally obligated. Homeowners benefit from safety assurance. Commercial property owners need periodic testing for insurance and compliance purposes.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 introduced mandatory electrical safety requirements for landlords. Non-compliance carries significant penalties and puts tenants at risk.

Your legal obligations as a landlord:

• 5-year inspections: Every private rental property requires an EICR at least every 5 years, or more frequently if the previous report recommends it.
• Pre-tenancy requirement: New tenancies cannot begin without a valid EICR. You must provide a copy to tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
• Remedial timescales: If defects are identified, you must complete repairs within 28 days (or sooner if specified) and provide evidence to tenants.
• Penalties: Local authorities can impose fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance. Repeated failures can result in prosecution.
• Tenant rights: Tenants can request your EICR. Failure to provide it within 7 days is a breach of regulations.

Consequences of non-compliance: Beyond financial penalties, landlords without valid EICRs may face insurance claim rejections, prosecution in case of tenant injury, and significant reputational damage. The modest cost of regular testing is minimal compared to these risks.

Your EICR report uses standardised codes to classify any issues found. Understanding these codes helps you prioritise repairs and make informed decisions.

Code C1 — Danger Present

A C1 code indicates an immediate risk of injury or fire. These faults require urgent action — we will make the installation safe before leaving, either by repair or isolation. Examples include exposed live conductors, absent earthing, and severely damaged insulation.

Code C2 — Potentially Dangerous

C2 codes indicate faults that could become dangerous or cause harm in certain circumstances. They require remedial action as a priority, typically within 28 days. Examples include lack of RCD protection, inadequate earthing arrangements, and deteriorating wiring.

Code C3 — Improvement Recommended

C3 observations identify non-conformance with current standards but don't indicate danger. These are recommendations for improvement rather than requirements. Examples include lack of additional bonding where supplementary protection exists, or installations that meet older (but still safe) standards.

Code FI — Further Investigation

FI means the inspector couldn't fully assess an area without more intrusive testing. This might require lifting floorboards, accessing concealed cables, or specialist investigation. FI findings don't automatically indicate problems but warrant follow-up.

Satisfactory vs Unsatisfactory

A report is 'Satisfactory' if no C1 or C2 codes are present. An 'Unsatisfactory' report requires remedial work before the installation can be considered safe. Once repairs are completed and verified, we issue an updated satisfactory report.