When is my EICR due?
Tell us when your electrics were last inspected. We'll fill in your next date and tell you whether the law says you need one.
Important
This installation should be periodically inspected and tested, and a report on its condition obtained, as set out in BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations.
- Date of last inspection
- __ / __ / ____
- Recommended date of next inspection
- __ / __ / ____
Your electrician fixes a label like this inside your fuse box after every inspection.
Enter a date, or tick the box if you don't have a report, to see where you stand.
How often you need an EICR
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) checks the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, light fittings and earthing in a property. How often you need one depends on who lives or works there.
| Property | How often | Required by law? |
|---|---|---|
| Privately rented home or HMO | Every 5 years, and a valid report before each new tenancy | Yes, since 2020 |
| Social housing | Every 5 years | Yes. New tenancies from 1 December 2025, existing tenancies from 1 May 2026 |
| Owner-occupied home | Every 10 years, and when you move in | No, but recommended |
| Shops, offices and restaurants | Every 5 years | No set interval, but employers must keep electrics safe |
| Industrial units | Every 3 years | No set interval, but employers must keep electrics safe |
| Swimming pools and saunas | Every year | No set interval, but employers must keep electrics safe |
The landlord rules come from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. For businesses, the duty comes from the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and an in-date EICR is the usual way to show you're meeting it. The other intervals come from IET guidance.
What landlords must do with the report
- Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
- Give a copy to new tenants before they move in.
- Send a copy to the council within 7 days if they ask for it.
- Complete any remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
Councils can fine landlords up to £30,000 for breaches. Our guide to what the law actually requires of landlords covers each duty in detail, and if your report came back with codes, here's what C1, C2 and C3 mean.
Where to find your last inspection date
The date is on the first page of your report, next to the recommended date for the next inspection. Many electricians also stick a label like the one above inside the fuse box. If you rent through a letting agent, they should hold a copy. Can't find anything? Treat that as no report, because without one you have no evidence the installation is safe.
Booking your EICR
Select carries out EICRs across Tunbridge Wells, Kent and London. Find out how much an EICR costs and how long the inspection takes, or read about our EICR and electrical testing service.
Questions
How often do I need an EICR?
Rented homes in England need an EICR at least every five years by law. Owner-occupied homes should be inspected every 10 years, and most business premises every five years. Your electrician can recommend a shorter interval, and if they do, that date applies.
Is an EICR a legal requirement for homeowners?
No. For owner-occupied homes it is recommended rather than required. It is still worth having one every 10 years, when you buy a home, and before major building work, because it is the only way to know the wiring is safe.
Do I need a new EICR when tenants change?
Not if the current report is still in date. You must give the new tenant a copy before they move in. If the report has expired, or there is no report, you need a new inspection before the tenancy starts.
Where do I find the date of my last EICR?
It is on the first page of the report, along with the recommended date for the next inspection. Many electricians also fix a periodic inspection label inside the fuse box showing both dates. If you rent through an agent, they should hold a copy.
Last updated 13 October 2026 by Select Mechanical and Electrical.
Need an EICR?
Message Felix on WhatsApp with your property type and postcode for a quick quote.
Message on WhatsApp