Electrician for Landlords & Letting Agents
Electrical compliance for York landlords — done properly
EICRs, remedial work, consumer unit upgrades, smoke and CO alarms, multi-property scheduling. The only electrician in York recognised by the York Residential Landlords Association.
Bright Sparks of York is the only electrician in York with YRLA Recognised Service Provider status — vetted and approved by the York Residential Landlords Association.
What the law requires
Since July 2020, all private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every tenanted property. As of November 2025, the maximum penalty for non-compliance increased from £30,000 to £40,000 per property, with the higher figure applicable to incidents from May 2026. The 2022 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations also impose separate obligations — and separate penalties of up to £5,000 per property.
A new EICR is required every 5 years, or on change of tenancy if the existing EICR is more than 5 years old. Full EICR information →
The EICR must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, and to any prospective tenant who requests it within 28 days.
If the EICR is unsatisfactory, remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the report date. Written confirmation of completion goes to the tenant within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days if requested.
The 2022 Regulations require at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a CO alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas boiler, log burner). Up to £5,000 penalty per property. Smoke & CO alarm installation →
Non-compliance is per property and per breach. A portfolio landlord with multiple non-compliant properties faces multiple separate penalties.
EICR pricing — by circuit count
Priced by circuit count, not bedrooms. Every circuit individually tested. No limitations. Report issued same day. All prices exclude VAT.
Typical flat or small house
£15+VAT per additional circuit above 6. Count the switches in the consumer unit — each switch is one circuit.
What I do for landlords
EICR — landlord compliance
Full inspection and test, every circuit. Report issued same day in digital format, ready to forward to tenants and letting agents. More about EICRs →
Remedial work after unsatisfactory EICR
Clear written estimate before any remedial work starts. Completion certificate issued on the day. Large remedial quote? Get a second opinion →
Smoke & CO alarm installation
2022 Regulations compliance: smoke alarm on every storey, CO alarm in every room with a combustion appliance. Mains-wired interlinked or 10-year sealed battery. Full details →
Fire detection — Grade D LD2
Going beyond the minimum protects your investment. Mains-wired interlinked alarms, heat detector in kitchen, smoke detectors throughout. Why this matters for landlords →
Consumer unit upgrades
Old fuse boards replaced with Hager units, individual RCBOs on every circuit. Common C2 finding. Priced by circuit count, done in one day. Pricing →
PAT testing
Where appliances are provided as part of the tenancy. Can be combined with the EICR visit. More about PAT testing →
Multi-property scheduling
I keep records of EICR dates for portfolio landlords and flag upcoming renewals. Multiple properties can be batched to keep everything compliant on the same cycle.
Tenant liaison & access coordination
I can coordinate access directly with tenants — particularly useful when landlords are managing remotely or through a letting agent.
For letting agents in York
A significant part of my work is with York letting agents. The arrangement is straightforward: the agent sends access details, I contact the tenant to arrange a suitable time, carry out the inspection, and send the report back to the agent — ready to forward to the landlord and upload to their compliance system.
Reports are issued digitally on the day. For agents managing large portfolios, I can batch-schedule inspections across multiple properties to keep everything on a predictable cycle.
If you're looking to add Bright Sparks to your approved contractor list, get in touch directly.
HMOs
HMOs have always required an EICR as part of HMO licence conditions. The 5-year interval applies, but your local authority may impose shorter intervals as a licence condition.
I carry out EICRs on HMOs regularly and can coordinate access with multiple tenants. For larger HMOs with more circuits, circuit-count pricing means the cost reflects the actual inspection — not an inflated flat rate.
Landlord FAQ
Are landlords legally required to have an EICR in York?
Yes. Since July 2020, all private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for every tenanted property, renewed every 5 years or on change of tenancy. A copy must go to tenants within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days if requested.
What is the maximum fine for EICR non-compliance?
Up to £40,000 per property per breach — as of November 2025, applicable to incidents from May 2026. That's per property and per breach. A landlord with 5 non-compliant properties faces up to £200,000 in total potential penalties.
Are smoke alarms and CO alarms a legal requirement for landlords?
Yes. The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require at least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a CO alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance. The penalty for non-compliance is up to £5,000 per property. More about smoke and CO alarm installation →
My EICR came back unsatisfactory. What do I need to do?
Carry out all C1 and C2 remedial work within 28 days of the report date, then obtain written confirmation of completion. Send copies to your tenant within 28 days and to the local authority within 7 days if requested. I can carry out remedial work promptly — get in touch and I'll give you a clear estimate before anything starts.
Can my tenant refuse access for an EICR?
A tenant can refuse, but landlords aren't considered non-compliant if they took all reasonable steps and were refused. Give proper written notice, attempt on at least two occasions, and keep records. In practice this is rare — I'm happy to contact tenants directly to arrange access.
What is the YRLA and why does it matter?
The York Residential Landlords Association is a local organisation for York landlords. YRLA Recognised Service Provider status means I've been vetted and approved by the association — and I'm the only electrician in York with this recognition. More about my YRLA recognition →
Why do you price EICRs by circuit count rather than bedrooms?
Because circuit count determines how long the EICR takes — bedrooms don't. Every circuit must be isolated and tested individually. A 2-bed flat can have 14 circuits; a 3-bed house might have 8. Pricing by bedrooms either overcharges some landlords or creates an incentive to rush. Circuit-count pricing is more honest and reflects the actual work.
Do you work with letting agents in York?
Yes. A significant part of my work is with York letting agents. I coordinate access with tenants, carry out the inspection, and send the report directly to the agent. If you want to discuss adding Bright Sparks to your approved contractor list, get in touch.
Book a landlord EICR in York
Tell me the address and I'll confirm the circuit count and price before the visit. Reports issued the same day.