If you own a rental property in Eltham, SE9 or the surrounding area, you are legally required to have a valid EICR certificate. Here is everything you need to know.
An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is a formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It covers the consumer unit, all circuits, wiring, earthing and bonding, and every fixed electrical fitting throughout the building.
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, all landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every rental property. The certificate must be renewed at least every five years, or at each change of tenancy if that occurs sooner. A copy must be provided to tenants before or at the start of their tenancy, and to the local authority within 7 days of a request.
The process is straightforward. Our qualified electrician visits your Eltham property, carries out a full inspection and test of the electrical installation, records every observation found, and assigns each one a code:
C1 — Danger present
Immediate risk of injury. Remedial work required before the report is issued or immediately after.
C2 — Potentially dangerous
Not immediately dangerous but requires remedial work. Property will receive an Unsatisfactory result until resolved.
C3 — Improvement recommended
Not dangerous but would benefit from improvement. Does not cause the report to fail.
FI — Further investigation required
An aspect of the installation requires further investigation before its condition can be confirmed.
An Unsatisfactory result (caused by any C1, C2 or FI code) means remedial work is required. As a landlord, you have 28 days from the date of the inspection to have all required remedial work completed — or less if the report specifies. Once remedial work is done, your electrician issues a confirmation that the installation is now Satisfactory.
We handle the full process in Eltham — inspection, any remedial work required, and re-testing where needed. You won't need to juggle different contractors. Common remedial issues we find in Eltham rental properties include outdated consumer units (especially older fuse boards), missing RCD protection, inadequate earthing, and deteriorated wiring in older SE9 homes and maisonettes.
EICR pricing is based on the number of circuits in the property. A standard one or two-bedroom flat in Eltham or New Eltham will typically have fewer circuits than a large family house in Mottingham. We provide a fixed price before we start — no hidden charges, no post-inspection surprises.
Call or WhatsApp us with your property details and we'll give you a clear price upfront.
Do I need an EICR if the property is newly built?
New builds come with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) which covers the initial installation. However, if you are letting the property, you should have an EICR carried out every 5 years from that point.
Can my tenant refuse access for an EICR?
You must give at least 24 hours' written notice. If a tenant refuses access despite reasonable requests, you should document all attempts to arrange access and contact your local authority — you have a legal defence if you can demonstrate you took all reasonable steps.
What happens if I don't comply?
Local authorities can issue a remedial notice and, if you fail to comply, carry out the work themselves and charge you. They can also issue financial penalties of up to £30,000.
How long does an EICR take in an Eltham rental property?
A one or two-bedroom flat in SE9 typically takes 2–3 hours. A larger Eltham family home or HMO will take longer. We always confirm the expected duration when you book.
Book an EICR for Your Eltham Rental Property
Serving landlords across Eltham SE9, New Eltham, Mottingham, Kidbrooke, Lee, Sidcup, Woolwich and Greenwich. Fixed prices, same-day certificates, full remedial service.