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EICR guides and answers

Straight answers to the questions landlords, agents and homeowners ask us most, from Westgate's own inspectors.

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BS 7671

Certified · Part P notified

£15m

Public liability insurance

In-house

No sub-contracting

Fixed

Prices, VAT included

Every guide is written by the team that carries out our EICRs, and is checked against the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, BS 7671 and IET guidance. If you can't find what you need, call us on 07359 115116 and speak to an inspector.

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EICR guides and answers

Industry change · October 2026 Who can sign an EICR is changing The October 2026 changes to inspector competence and BS 7671, and what they mean for landlords. Read the guide Validity & renewal How long is an EICR valid for? An EICR is valid for up to 5 years for rented homes, 10 years for owner-occupied homes, and typically 1–5 years for commercial premises, unless the report gives a shorter date. Read the guide Understanding your report EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI What C1, C2, C3 and FI mean on an EICR, which codes cause a fail, common examples of each, and what you need to do next. Read the guide BS 7671 explained What is an 18th Edition certificate? "18th Edition certificate" can mean an electrician's BS 7671 qualification or a certificate for work done to the 18th Edition wiring regulations. How each relates to an EICR. Read the guide After a failed EICR Do I need another EICR after remedial work? Usually no. After remedial work you need written confirmation that the installation is now satisfactory, plus the certificate for the work. Your original EICR keeps its date. Read the guide Landlord duties Do I need to give my tenant a copy of the EICR? Yes. Landlords must give existing tenants a copy of the EICR within 28 days of the inspection and new tenants before they move in. All the deadlines in one place. Read the guide Checklist How to check if a property has a valid EICR How to check an EICR is valid: inspection dates, outcome, coverage, inspector details, schedules of test results and remedial confirmations. A checklist for tenants, buyers and agents. Read the guide Buying & selling Do I need an EICR to buy a house? No, an EICR is not a legal requirement when buying or selling a house, but it is strongly recommended for older homes. What a survey misses and when to book one. Read the guide Landlord duties Can I let a property without an EICR? No. In England a landlord must give a new tenant a copy of a valid EICR before they move in. The exceptions, the penalties, and how to get one quickly. Read the guide On the day What does an electrical safety check involve? What happens during an electrical safety check (EICR) in the UK: before the visit, the tests room by room, how long the power is off, and what you get afterwards. Read the guide Landlord duties Can a landlord be fined for not having an EICR? Yes. Councils can fine landlords up to £30,000 for breaching the electrical safety regulations, including having no EICR, not giving tenants a copy, or not doing remedial work. Read the guide Failed EICR Can I move a tenant in with a failed EICR? Not safely. An unsatisfactory EICR means C1, C2 or FI items must be fixed within 28 days. Get the remedial work done and confirmed before a new tenancy starts. Read the guide What gets checked Does an EICR check every socket? An EICR tests every circuit, but inspectors normally inspect a sample of sockets and accessories on each one. What gets checked, what sampling means, and how we do it. Read the guide Who can inspect Can a normal electrician do an EICR? Not every electrician can carry out an EICR. Inspectors need an inspection and testing qualification, experience and CPD, and from October 2026 must meet them personally. Read the guide Checking a report Can you check an EICR certificate online? There's no single public register of EICRs in England. How to check an EICR certificate is genuine, including checking the electrician's registration online. Read the guide

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