An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal report on the condition of a property’s fixed wiring. A qualified electrician inspects and tests the installation and records whether it is safe to keep using, and what, if anything, needs attention.
What does an EICR check?
The report covers the fixed electrical installation, meaning everything that is wired in rather than plugged in:
- The consumer unit (fuse box), its circuit breakers, fuses and RCDs
- The wiring and the circuits it feeds
- Sockets, switches and light fittings
- Fixed appliances such as electric showers, cookers and immersion heaters
- The earthing and the protective bonding to gas and water pipes
It doesn’t cover plug-in appliances. Those are checked with PAT testing.
What happens during the inspection?
The electrician looks at the condition of the installation first: damage, wear, overheating, missing covers and anything that doesn’t meet the wiring regulations (BS 7671). Then each circuit is tested with specialist instruments to check things you can’t see, such as whether the insulation is sound, whether the earth path works and whether the RCDs trip fast enough.
The power goes off for short periods while circuits are tested. Most homes take two to four hours.
What does the report tell you?
Every problem found is listed as an observation with a code. You can read more in our guide to EICR codes, but in short:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. Immediate action needed. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. Urgent action needed. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended. |
| FI | Further investigation needed. |
Any C1, C2 or FI makes the overall result unsatisfactory. C3s on their own don’t. The report also gives a date for the next inspection.
Who needs an EICR?
- Landlords in England must have one at least every five years. See landlord electrical safety certificates.
- HMO landlords need one for their licence as well. See HMO inspections.
- Buyers and sellers often ask for one during a sale. See buying a house and selling a house.
- Homeowners are advised to have one every ten years. See home electrical safety inspections.
- Businesses need to keep their installation safe under health and safety law. See commercial EICRs.
Is an EICR the same as an electrical safety certificate?
People often call it a “landlord electrical safety certificate”, and that’s what letting agents usually mean. Strictly, an EICR is a report on an existing installation. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued for new work. Our guide to EIC vs EICR explains the difference.
What happens if the report is unsatisfactory?
You get a clear explanation of each observation and a separate quote for the work. Landlords must have the work done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Any C1 danger should be made safe straight away. Read more in why EICRs fail and who pays for remedial work, or see our remedial work service.
How much does an EICR cost?
From £120 for a studio or 1 bedroom home. See EICR prices in Manchester for the full list.
Book an EICR in Manchester
Check your total price on our EICR page, call 0161 400 1855 or 07493 508 439, or send us an enquiry. We work Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, across Manchester and the surrounding areas (see the areas we cover). Your report is emailed within one working day of your payment clearing.
