Thorough EICR inspections in London - ensure your electrics are safe, compliant, and up to code
Electrical Installation Condition Reports are more than just paperwork – they are a critical safety measure for any property. Here’s why EICRs matter and shouldn’t be overlooked:
Faulty electrics are a leading cause of house fires and electric shocks. Nearly half of all accidental house fires in the UK are linked to electrical faults, and around 65 people a year die from unsafe wiring. An EICR helps catch problems early – such as damaged wiring, overloaded circuits, or faulty connections – before they pose a danger to your family or tenants. By identifying issues that need fixing (like a loose earth or an overheating fuse board), an EICR can literally be life-saving.
For landlords, electrical safety compliance isn’t optional – it’s the law. The latest regulations (Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector, 2020) require landlords in London and throughout England to have a valid EICR at least every 5 years for rental properties. Failing to comply can lead to heavy fines of up to £30,000 for each breach.
Local councils can enforce these penalties if an up-to-date electrical safety certificate isn’t in place. An EICR ensures you meet your electrical compliance obligations and keep your tenants safe. It also provides a formal record that you’ve taken due care, which can protect you in case of any disputes or incidents.
Even if you’re a homeowner (not legally required to get regular EICRs), it’s highly recommended to have a full house electrical safety report every 5–10 years. Electrical installations age over time – cables degrade, connections loosen, and standards change, so periodic house electrical safety checks ensure your home remains safe. An EICR will give you peace of mind that everything behind your walls and in your fuse box is in sound condition. This is especially important if your property is older or if it’s been a long time since the electrics were checked.
Many home insurance companies now require an electrical safety certificate for older homes or when renewing landlord insurance. Not having a current EICR could potentially invalidate your insurance in the event of an electrical fire or claim, which would be a financial disaster. On the flip side, having a recent electrical safety certificate can actually help with insurance and resale value – it assures insurers (and prospective buyers) that the wiring is safe and up to standard. If you’re selling a property, presenting a “satisfactory” EICR to buyers can speed up the process and boost confidence, since it proves the electrical system has been checked by a certified electrician.
In summary, EICRs matter for safety, legal compliance, and peace of mind. They catch hidden electrical issues that might otherwise go unnoticed until something goes wrong. By investing in a periodic EICR, you ensure the safety of everyone who uses the property and protect the property itself from electrical hazards.
When you book an EICR with us, you can expect a thorough electrical safety inspection. We follow a step-by-step approach to ensure every part of your electrical system is checked and tested against the latest safety standards. Here’s how our inspection process works:
A NICEIC-certified electrician will perform a visual electrical safety check of wiring, the consumer unit (fuse box), lights, sockets and switches, flagging any immediate hazards or obvious defects before testing begins.
Using calibrated instruments, the electrician tests each circuit to BS 7671: insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, and RCD/RCBO trip performance. Power may be briefly isolated per circuit while we verify protection and overload risks.
We inspect key components (consumer unit, sampled outlets/switches, fixed lighting, earthing & bonding) and note any faults or shock/fire risks. You will receive a clear EICR certificate with findings and recommendations – ideal for landlord electrical safety compliance and peace of mind.
While our electricians perform tests and inspections, they document any problems or deviations from established standards. Each issue is classified by a specific code in the EICR report. The coding system is standardised, so you’ll know exactly how urgent or serious each issue is.
Code C1 – “Danger Present”: This is a serious electric hazard that poses an immediate risk. If a C1 fault is found (for example, live exposed wires or a severely cracked outlet), the electrician will inform you right away, as C1 means there’s a danger of electric shock or fire. This issue must be resolved immediately for the installation to be considered safe.
Code C2 – “Potentially Dangerous”: This indicates a less immediate but still significant issue that requires urgent electrical service. It might be something like a lack of proper earthing on a circuit or damaged insulation that could lead to danger if not addressed. A C2 indicates that the installation is unsatisfactory until the issue is resolved, but does not constitute an emergency like a C1.
Code C3 – “Improvement Recommended”: C3 issues are basically advisories. They don’t indicate unsafe conditions, but rather an opportunity to improve the installation or bring it up to current standards. For example, maybe the consumer unit is an older model that still functions but doesn’t have the latest dual RCD protection – that might get a C3, suggesting an upgrade for better safety. You can still pass the EICR with only C3 codes listed; they don’t make the report unsatisfactory. However, addressing C3 improvements over time is wise to keep your electrical system in top shape.
After completing all tests and checks, our electrician will prepare a comprehensive EICR document. This Electrical Installation Condition Report will state whether your overall installation is “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory”. “Satisfactory” means no dangerous (C1/C2) issues were found, and your electrical system is safe! You’ll receive the certificate detailing the test results, typically the same day if no major faults were found. If the report is “Unsatisfactory” due to any C1 or C2 faults, we will explain exactly what those are and what electrical repair work is needed.
Certified & experienced electricians – All electricians are NICEIC-certified, fully qualified, and insured. With more than 15 years’ experience, they can expertly handle any electrical system, ensuring that nothing is overlooked during your EICR.
7-day availability & flexible booking – Our EICR inspection services are available 7 days a week and can be scheduled at a time convenient for you – including Saturdays and Sundays. We often accommodate short-notice and same-day bookings when possible, because we know compliance deadlines or unexpected situations can arise.
Thorough inspections – Our electricians follow a comprehensive checklist to ensure no aspect of your electrical installation is missed. If there are issues, we’ll clearly explain what they are and what it would take to fix them. You’ll receive a written electrical installation condition report, and we’ll answer any questions you may have. Our commitment to quality and integrity has earned us the trust of hundreds of London customers who rely on us for electrical testing and certification.
NICEIC-backed quality – All the EICRs we carry out are conducted in line with the latest 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671). When we complete your EICR, you can be confident it will be accepted by councils, insurers, and letting agents, as it’s done by a certified electrician to proper standards.
One-stop shop for electrical services – We’re not just an EICR provider – we offer a complete range of electrical services. If your report highlights any issues, we can fix them quickly. From replacing a faulty breaker or damaged outlet to full rewiring or consumer unit upgrades, our electricians can handle the repair work efficiently and at a competitive price. Additionally, if you need other services like PAT testing, lighting installations, or an emergency electrician, you already have a trusted partner ready to assist.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) should be performed every 5 years for rental properties or earlier if the report requires it. Homeowners are generally advised to have an electrical safety check every 10 years or sooner after major electrical work, while commercial buildings should have EICRs every 1 to 5 years, depending on the type and use of the property. Landlords in England and Wales must have an EICR on their properties, and a similar requirement also exists in Scotland.
EICR typically takes between one and four hours to complete. The duration depends on the size and complexity of the property. For example, a small flat might be inspected in about 1 or 2 hours, whereas a large house or commercial building with more circuits could take 4 hours or more. It’s a good idea to ensure easy access to the consumer unit and not plan any sensitive activities during the inspection (since the power will be intermittently turned off for testing).
Before your EICR appointment, switch off appliances and unplug any sensitive equipment (e.g., computers, aquariums, alarms or medical devices), provide clear access to the main electrical panels/consumer unit, sockets, switches and key light fittings, and plan for brief, circuit-by-circuit power interruptions while the NICEIC-qualified electrician tests to BS 7671. It’s also helpful to inform household members or tenants that the power will be off on during the test (to avoid surprises if the Wi-Fi or appliances go off momentarily). Other than that, just have someone present to let our electrician in (unless otherwise arranged), and we’ll take care of everything.
Yes, part of the EICR process involves turning off and isolating circuits one at a time to perform tests safely. This means there will be short power outages to different parts of the property during the inspection. If you have essential equipment (like servers or medical devices), we can coordinate to ensure those aren’t shut off unexpectedly. By the end of the inspection, everything will be switched back on. If any circuit cannot be re-energized due to a dangerous fault, the electrician will discuss this with you (this is rare, and only if a serious issue is found).
Keep your home or rental property electrically safe and fully certified. Schedule your EICR certificate today!
