How often is an EICR required?

Every 5 years for private rented housing (mandatory) and at intervals set out in IET Guidance Note 3 for commercial premises — typically 5 years for offices, sooner for higher-risk premises.

Who is qualified to issue an EICR?

A competent electrician registered with a UKAS-accredited scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA, with C&G 2391 (Inspection and Testing) or equivalent.

C3 means 'improvement recommended' — the installation is safe but does not meet current BS 7671. C3s do not make an EICR unsatisfactory.

Electrical learning hub

Electrical Compliance

Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), remedial works and periodic inspection schedules for landlords, managing agents and commercial duty holders under BS 7671 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

In short

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained so far as reasonably practicable to prevent danger. In private rented sector housing, EICRs are mandatory every 5 years. Commercial premises follow BS 7671 recommended intervals.

Legal snapshot

What the law says

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989: Duty on employers, self-employed and duty holders to prevent danger from electrical systems.
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022: IET Wiring Regulations — 18th Edition including amendments.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020: 5-yearly EICRs mandatory for private rented housing.
HSR25 / GS38: HSE guidance on the Electricity at Work Regs and safe use of test instruments.

On the ground

Common problems & fixes

EICR classified C1 or C2
Fix, C1 is immediate danger — isolate now. C2 must be remediated inside 28 days; a NICEIC or NAPIT contractor issues a Minor Works Certificate on completion.
EICR older than 5 years in PRS housing
Fix, Non-compliance with the 2020 Regs; council can serve remedial notices with penalties up to £30,000.
No fixed wiring test schedule for a commercial building
Fix, Adopt IET Guidance Note 3 intervals — typically 5 years for offices, 3 years for retail, 1 year for temporary installations.
Recurring nuisance tripping on RCDs
Fix, Insulation resistance testing and load balancing rather than replacing RCDs like-for-like.

Pillar guide6 min read

EICR Testing: Frequency, Codes & Remediation Under BS 7671

Electrical Installation Condition Report requirements: legal duties, code classifications (C1/C2/C3/FI), remediation timelines and contractor accreditation.

Read the full guide

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Cluster guides for this niche are publishing shortly. The pillar guide above covers the full duty-holder journey while we finish the deeper breakdowns.

FAQ

Frequently asked

How often is an EICR required?: Every 5 years for private rented housing (mandatory) and at intervals set out in IET Guidance Note 3 for commercial premises — typically 5 years for offices, sooner for higher-risk premises.
Who is qualified to issue an EICR?: A competent electrician registered with a UKAS-accredited scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA, with C&G 2391 (Inspection and Testing) or equivalent.
What is a C3 code?: C3 means 'improvement recommended' — the installation is safe but does not meet current BS 7671. C3s do not make an EICR unsatisfactory.

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