BS 7671 · 18th Edition

EICR Certificates and Landlord Electrical Safety Certificates in London

Q: Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords?

Yes. In England the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020 require an EICR at least every five years for all private tenancies, with a copy given to tenants within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days of a request. Councils can fine landlords up to £30,000 for non-compliance.

Q: Is an EICR the same as a landlord electrical safety certificate?

Yes. People often call it an electrical safety certificate or a landlord electrical certificate, but the document the law requires is the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It records the condition of the fixed wiring, sockets, lighting and consumer unit, and gives an overall result of satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Q: How much does an EICR cost?

The price depends mainly on the number of circuits, which follows the size of the property: a studio flat takes far less testing than a large HMO. Pricing is available on request. Tell us the property type, the number of bedrooms and whether it is an HMO, and we will give you a price before booking. If you also need an EPC, booking both for the same visit saves a second appointment.

Q: Can I get an EICR and an EPC in one visit?

Yes. Our electricians and energy assessors work as one team, so landlords can book the EICR and the EPC for the same appointment. See our landlord compliance packages for the combined visit.

Q: How long does an EICR take?

Typically two to four hours for a house or flat depending on the number of circuits. The power is switched off for parts of the test, so we agree timing with the occupant in advance.

Q: What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?

C1 and C2 observations must be put right within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so). We quote the remedial work with the report, carry it out, and issue written confirmation that the installation is now satisfactory.

Q: Do homeowners need an EICR?

It is not a legal requirement for owner-occupiers, but it is recommended every ten years or when buying a property, and mortgage lenders and insurers increasingly ask for one on older installations.

NICEIC-registered periodic inspection and testing with clear C1, C2, C3 and FI observations, a remedial quote with every report, and the option of an EPC on the same visit.

Statutory Electrical Safety for Rented Homes

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 every private tenancy needs an Electrical Installation Condition Report at least every five years. Since the Renters' Rights Act commenced on 1 May 2026 that report is one of the first documents a tenant, council or the incoming landlord database will look for.

Strata's NICEIC-registered electricians inspect and test the consumer unit, earthing and bonding, and every final circuit to BS 7671, then issue a report that explains each observation in plain English and quotes the remedial work if any is needed.

Code C1

Danger Present

Risk of injury. Made safe on the day where possible; immediate remedial action required.

Code C2

Potentially Dangerous

Urgent remedial action required; landlords have 28 days under the 2020 Regulations.

Code C3

Improvement Recommended

Does not meet current 18th Edition requirements but is not unsafe. Advisory only.

Code FI

Further Investigation

Requires further investigation without delay before the installation can be deemed satisfactory.

Strata electrician testing a socket outlet with a multifunction tester with the consumer unit open behind

What We Test

Consumer Unit, Earthing, Bonding and Every Circuit

Condition and type of the consumer unit and protective devices
Main earthing and equipotential bonding to gas and water
Insulation resistance, continuity and polarity on every circuit
RCD operation and disconnection times
Visual inspection of accessories, wiring and any damage or DIY alterations

Every observation is photographed and referenced in the report so a landlord or agent can see exactly what was found.

New metal 18th Edition consumer unit with RCBOs and surge protection

Remedials

Unsatisfactory Reports Fixed by the Same Team

Old plastic fuseboards, missing RCD protection and inadequate bonding are the most common C2 findings in London's rented stock. We quote the remedial work with the report, carry it out to BS 7671 and issue the certification that brings the installation back to satisfactory, without the landlord having to find a second contractor.

Consumer Unit Upgrades