Guide
What is an EICR? The Plain English Guide.
Whether you're a homeowner, a landlord, or just someone who's been told they need one and has no idea what it means — this page is for you. No jargon, no scare tactics. Just clear answers.
So what actually is an EICR?
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. Think of it like an MOT for your electrics. I come to your property, test every circuit — lights, sockets, cooker, shower, everything — and check that the wiring is safe and meets current standards.
At the end, you get a formal report that tells you whether your electrics are satisfactory or whether anything needs attention. It's colour-coded so it's easy to understand, and I'll always walk you through it in person so nothing gets lost in translation.
It's not about finding problems so I can charge you more — it's about making sure your property is safe. If everything's fine, I'll tell you. If something needs doing, I'll explain exactly what, why, and how much it would cost to fix.
Who needs an EICR?
Landlords — it's the law
Since June 2020, every rental property in England must have a valid EICR. The maximum interval between inspections is 5 years — though the inspector can set a shorter timeframe if they find any concerns, and you must give a copy to your tenants within 28 days. If you don't comply, your local authority can fine you up to £30,000. As a recognised service provider for the York Residential Landlords Association, I work with landlords and letting agents across York to make this as painless as possible — I handle the paperwork, the scheduling, and if any remedial work is needed, I'll estimate it clearly and get it done fast so your tenants aren't inconvenienced.
Homeowners — strongly recommended
There's no legal requirement for homeowners, but it's recommended every 10 years — or sooner if your home is older, you've bought a new property, or you've noticed anything odd like flickering lights, tripping circuits, or a burning smell near sockets. Peace of mind is worth a lot.
Buying or selling a property
An EICR isn't mandatory for property sales, but more and more solicitors and buyers are asking for one. It's a smart move — it either confirms the electrics are fine, or it gives you leverage to negotiate if they're not.
Businesses
Commercial properties should have an EICR at a maximum interval of 5 years — shorter if the previous inspection identified any concerns. It's part of your duty of care to staff and customers, and your insurer may require one.
What happens during an EICR?
I'll need access to your consumer unit (fuse box) and every room in the property. The power will need to go off for parts of the inspection — I'll warn you in advance so you can plan around it.
For a typical 3-bed house, it takes around 2–3 hours. I test every circuit for safety — things like earthing, bonding, insulation resistance, and whether your RCDs (the safety switches that stop you getting a shock) are working properly.
Once I'm done, you'll get a report with clear codes for anything I've found. Here's what they mean:
C1 — Danger present. Something is immediately unsafe and needs fixing now. This is rare, but when it happens, I'll explain it clearly and we'll discuss next steps straight away.
C2 — Potentially dangerous. Not an emergency, but it needs sorting. For landlords, this must be fixed within 28 days (or sooner if specified).
C3 — Improvement recommended. Not dangerous, but worth upgrading when you get the chance. No obligation to act on these.
FI — Further investigation. Something I couldn't fully assess during the inspection. Might be fine, might not — needs a closer look.
How much does an EICR cost in York?
I keep my EICR pricing simple and transparent:
£180 + VAT
For properties with up to 6 circuits
+ £15 + VAT per additional circuit beyond 6
Most standard 2–3 bed houses have between 6 and 10 circuits. I'll always confirm the price before I start, so there are no surprises. If remedial work is needed, I'll estimate that separately — you're never locked into anything.
What if my property fails?
First — don't panic. A lot of properties get observations on their EICR. It doesn't mean your house is about to burn down. It means something needs attention, and now you know about it.
If there are C1 or C2 codes, I'll explain exactly what the issue is, what needs to happen, and give you a clear estimate for the remedial work. For landlords, the law requires you to get this work done within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). Once the work's complete, I'll re-test the affected circuits and issue an updated report showing everything's satisfactory.
C3 codes are advisory — no obligation to act, but I'll always let you know what I'd recommend and why.
The whole point of an EICR isn't to catch you out. It's to give you a clear picture of where things stand, and a plan if anything needs doing. That's what I'm here for.
A note for landlords & letting agents
I regularly present to landlord associations about EICRs — what they are, what's required, and how to stay compliant without the stress. I understand the pressures you're under, and I work around your tenants' schedules so there's minimal disruption.
If you manage multiple properties, I can set up a rolling schedule so you're never caught out by expiry dates. One less thing to worry about.
I'll provide all the documentation you need for your records, your tenants, and your local authority — properly formatted, on time, every time.
This guide was written by Frankie — the man behind Bright Sparks. 15 years in customer insight taught me that people deserve to understand what they're paying for. I hope this helped.
More about me →Need an EICR in York?
Whether it's one property or twenty — I'll make it straightforward.