An Electrical Installation Condition Report — usually just called an EICR — is a formal document produced by a qualified electrician after carrying out an inspection and series of tests on an electrical installation. It records the condition of the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, light fittings and every other part of the fixed electrical installation in a property.
EICRs have been a standard part of landlord compliance for several years, but homeowners buying or selling a property, or just wanting peace of mind about older wiring, commonly request them too. If your property has wiring that's more than 25–30 years old, an EICR is the only way to get a clear picture of its condition.
A qualified electrician will carry out a visual inspection of all accessible parts of the installation, followed by a series of electrical tests. These include insulation resistance tests on all circuits, polarity checks, earth continuity testing and RCD operation checks. The inspector will also visually check the consumer unit (fuse board), look for signs of damage or deterioration, and assess whether the installation meets current standards.
The tests require the power to be isolated at various points. In most homes this means the power will be off for periods of one to two hours during the inspection. We always confirm the likely duration before we start so you can plan around it.
For a typical two- or three-bedroom Eltham property with one consumer unit, an EICR usually takes between two and four hours. Larger properties with more circuits, outbuildings or multiple consumer units take longer. We can normally give you an accurate estimate once we know the size and age of the property.
The report will be given one of two overall outcomes: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A Satisfactory result means the installation is in an acceptable condition with no urgent work required. An Unsatisfactory result means one or more observations have been coded C1 or C2 — meaning there is a danger present or potential danger that requires remedial work.
Each individual observation in the report is assigned a code:
We explain all codes on the report in plain English and provide a clear quote for any remedial works before you make a decision.
Landlords in England are legally required to have an EICR carried out every five years (or at every change of tenancy, whichever is sooner) under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Failure to comply can result in a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
Homeowners are not legally required to have an EICR, but it is strongly recommended for properties with wiring that hasn't been tested in the last ten years, and is commonly requested by mortgage lenders and solicitors when buying or selling a property with older wiring.
Home buyers may be advised to commission an EICR before exchange of contracts, particularly in older properties. A Eltham Victorian terrace with original or 1970s wiring can hide significant issues that won't show up in a structural survey.
For landlords, every five years. For homeowners, BS 7671 recommends a periodic inspection every ten years for domestic properties, or when there's a change of use, after any flood or fire damage, or when there's reason to suspect the installation may be deteriorating.
We carry out EICR testing throughout Eltham SE9, Greenwich, Lewisham, Lee, Kidbrooke, New Eltham, Eltham and surrounding areas. Reports are issued digitally, usually on the same day as the inspection.
Book an EICR in Eltham
Call 0800 820 2088, WhatsApp us or fill in the contact form. We cover Eltham SE9 and surrounding South East London areas.
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