How Often Should an EICR Be Carried Out?

An EICR records the condition of the fixed electrical installation: the wiring, the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and earthing. It does not cover portable appliances.

As a general guide, rented homes and commercial premises should have a new condition report at least every five years. Owner-occupied homes are usually advised to have one about every ten years. Some buildings with heavier use or higher risk need shorter gaps, and the inspector will state the recommended date for the next inspection on your report.

So the answer to "is an EICR three years or five years" is that five years is the usual maximum for rented and commercial property. Three years or less can apply where the inspector recommends it.

Landlords in the private rented sector generally have a legal requirement to make sure the electrical installation is inspected and tested at regular intervals, no longer than five years apart. They must give tenants a copy of the report, and the local authority can ask to see it. Rules differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position for your property.

A report stays valid until the next inspection date written on it. If the inspector sets a shorter interval, that date applies, not the five year maximum. Many landlords also arrange a fresh report when a new tenancy begins, particularly if the last one is close to expiry.

There is normally no legal requirement for an owner-occupier to have an EICR, but it is sensible practice. Ten years is the usual recommendation, and it makes sense to shorten that if the property is older, has had DIY electrical work, or has an old consumer unit.

It is also worth having a report when you buy a property, because a survey rarely tests the wiring. Mortgage lenders, buyers and insurers sometimes ask for a recent condition report too.

Shops, offices, workshops and other commercial premises are usually inspected at least every five years. Places with heavy use, damp or dusty conditions, public access or specialist equipment may need shorter gaps. Employers and building managers have duties to keep electrical systems safe, so the report is part of showing that you have done so.

If you manage a school, clinic or other public building, your organisation may set its own schedule. The same applies to anyone searching for how often an EICR is carried out in the NHS: the answer comes from the responsible organisation's own policy. Ask the person responsible for the building's compliance.

Do not wait for the date on the report if you notice any of these:

- Circuit breakers that trip repeatedly - Flickering lights, buzzing, or warm or discoloured sockets and switches - A burning smell near sockets or the consumer unit - Cracked, loose or outdated fittings, or a consumer unit with old-style rewirable fuses - Recent extensions, rewires or major alterations - A change of tenant, owner or use of the building

The interval does not depend on the calendar year. A report is not out of date because time has passed in a particular year; it is out of date when the next inspection date on it arrives.

The inspector tests the installation and gives an overall result of satisfactory or unsatisfactory, along with observations. Anything that is dangerous or potentially dangerous needs remedial work, and a report with those findings is unsatisfactory until the faults are put right. Landlords generally have to complete required remedial work within a set period and confirm it in writing, so check the current rules on GOV.UK.

The cost of an EICR depends on how the electrician prices the job. Some charge a fixed price, others an hourly rate or callout fee. The main factors are the number of circuits, the size and age of the property, how easy the consumer unit and wiring are to reach, and how long the testing takes. Remedial work, parts and out-of-hours visits are usually priced separately. Ask for a written quote that explains what is included.

EICR Benfleet provides EICR services across Benfleet and the surrounding Essex area. Whoever you choose, you can ask about their qualifications and ask what the report will cover before booking.