Back to Guides
Safety & Certificates
Electrical Safety (EICR) - Your Rights
Landlords must provide an electrical safety report. What the EICR covers and your rights.
8 min readLast updated: 15 January 2025
Since 2020, landlords must have electrical installations inspected every 5 years and provide tenants with a copy of the report (EICR - Electrical Installation Condition Report).
What's Covered
- Fixed electrical systems (wiring, sockets, switches, fuse box)
- Not portable appliances (toaster, kettle etc.)
- The EICR must be done by a qualified electrician
Your Rights
- You must receive a copy of the EICR within 28 days of the inspection
- New tenants must get it before moving in
- If urgent work is needed, it must be done within 28 days
- You can request a copy at any time
Understanding the Report
The report uses codes to describe any issues:
- C1: Danger present - immediate risk, needs urgent action
- C2: Potentially dangerous - needs fixing
- C3: Improvement recommended - not essential but advisable
- FI: Further investigation required
If your EICR shows C1 or C2 issues that haven't been fixed, report your landlord to the local council.
Official Sources
Need more help?
Get free, confidential advice from housing experts.
Related Guides
Safety Certificates (Gas, Electric, EPC)
What certificates your landlord must provide. Gas safety, EICR, EPC, and smoke alarms explained.
10 minGas Safety Certificate - Your Rights
Landlords must provide an annual gas safety certificate. What to do if they don't.
8 minEPC and Energy Efficiency
Minimum EPC rating of E required. Your rights if the property is cold and inefficient.
8 min