EICR Electrical Safety Certificates

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property. It tells you whether your installation is safe for continued use, identifies any defects, and gives each observation a code from C1 (danger present) to C3 (improvement recommended).

Who Needs an EICR?

• Landlords in England — a satisfactory EICR every 5 years is a legal requirement under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020
• Homeowners — recommended every 10 years, or on change of occupancy
• Buyers — an EICR gives you the true condition of an older property before you commit
• Commercial premises — typically every 5 years

What’s Involved

We carry out the inspection strictly in line with BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 and NAPIT best practice. That means a full visual inspection plus dead and live testing: insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD operating times, polarity, continuity of protective conductors, and a check of the consumer unit, main bonding and earthing arrangements.

What Happens If It Fails?

If your report comes back Unsatisfactory (C1 or C2 codes present), the regulations give landlords 28 days to carry out remedial works. We’ll give you a separate quote for any remedials — you are never obliged to use us, but most customers do because we already know the installation. Common issues we find are missing RCD protection, borrowed neutrals, and inadequate main bonding.

Turnaround

Most single-property EICRs are done in 2–3 hours on site, with your signed certificate emailed to you within 24 hours. We can usually book Rotherham landlords in within 3–5 working days.

Related Services

Need a consumer unit upgrade after a failed EICR? See our fuse box replacement page. Managing a let property? Our landlord electrician service covers EICRs, PAT testing and remedial works as a single bundle.

EICR Observation Codes Explained

Every observation your electrician records during an EICR is given a classification code. Understanding these codes helps you know exactly what needs attention and how urgently.

• Code C1 — Danger Present: An immediate risk to anyone using the installation. The electrician may disconnect the affected circuit on the spot. Examples include exposed live conductors, missing earthing, or a consumer unit with evidence of arcing.
• Code C2 — Potentially Dangerous: Not an immediate threat, but could become dangerous if left unaddressed. Common examples are circuits without adequate RCD protection, incorrect cable sizing, or lack of supplementary bonding in a bathroom. Remedial work is strongly recommended.
• Code C3 — Improvement Recommended: The installation does not meet current standards but is not unsafe. A C3 alone will not cause a fail, though addressing it brings your property up to the latest edition of the Wiring Regulations.
• FI — Further Investigation Required: The electrician could not fully assess part of the installation during the inspection — for example, wiring buried behind a wall that could not be accessed. Further investigation is needed before a definitive assessment can be given.

An EICR is classed as unsatisfactory if any C1 or C2 codes are recorded. A satisfactory certificate means no C1 or C2 observations were found.

What Does an EICR Check?

An EICR is far more thorough than a visual spot-check. Our NAPIT-registered electricians test every circuit in your property. Here is what the inspection covers:

• The condition of your consumer unit (fuse box) including labelling, RCD operation, and MCB ratings
• Earthing and bonding — main earthing conductor, gas and water bonding, and supplementary bonding in bathrooms and kitchens
• Insulation resistance on every circuit to check for deterioration or damage to cables
• Earth fault loop impedance to confirm protective devices will disconnect quickly enough in a fault
• RCD trip times using calibrated test equipment — every RCD must trip within the required time to protect against electric shock
• Polarity checks to verify live and neutral are correctly connected at every socket, switch, and light fitting
• Visual inspection of wiring, accessories, and enclosures for signs of damage, overheating, or non-compliant installation work
• External influences such as water ingress, thermal insulation contact, and UV exposure on outdoor cables

How Long Does an EICR Take?

The duration depends on the size and age of the property. As a guide:

• 1-bed flat: around 1.5 to 2 hours
• 3-bed semi-detached house: around 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• 4–5-bed detached house: 3.5 to 5 hours or more

Older properties with original wiring, extensions, or outbuildings will take longer because there are more circuits and a higher chance of non-standard installations that need careful assessment. We always allow enough time to do the job properly — a rushed EICR puts both you and the electrician at risk.

EICR for Landlords — Your Legal Obligations

Since 1 June 2020, private landlords in England must have a satisfactory EICR before the start of a new tenancy, and must renew it at least every five years. The regulations apply to all private rented properties including HMOs.

As a landlord, you are required to:

• Ensure an EICR is carried out by a qualified and competent person (such as a NAPIT-registered electrician)
• Provide a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
• Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested
• Complete any remedial work identified within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter deadline
• Obtain written confirmation from the electrician that remedial work has been completed, and supply that to tenants and the local authority

Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £30,000 from the local housing authority. We work with landlords and letting agents across Rotherham and South Yorkshire, and can schedule inspections around your tenants to minimise disruption.

EICR vs PAT Testing — What’s the Difference?

An EICR and a PAT test cover different parts of your electrical system. An EICR inspects the fixed wiring — the permanent installation from the meter to the sockets, light fittings, and consumer unit. PAT testing checks portable appliances — items you plug in, such as kettles, computers, and extension leads.

Both are important for safety, but they are separate inspections. Landlords need an EICR by law; PAT testing is not a legal requirement for landlords in most cases, though it is strongly recommended, particularly in HMOs and furnished lets. For commercial properties, regular PAT testing is part of your duty of care to employees under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

We carry out both EICR and PAT testing and can schedule them on the same visit to save you time.

Why Choose MP Electrical for Your EICR in Rotherham?

• NAPIT-registered: Every inspection is carried out to the required standard and your certificate is issued through the NAPIT scheme
• All remedial work in-house: If your EICR identifies any C1 or C2 codes, we carry out the remedial work ourselves — no need to find another electrician
• Clear, honest reporting: We explain every observation in plain English so you understand exactly what has been found and what needs doing
• Landlord-friendly: We work around tenant schedules, handle all the paperwork, and can manage renewal reminders for your portfolio
• Fast turnaround: Certificates issued within 3–5 working days of a satisfactory inspection

Frequently Asked Questions About EICRs

Areas We Cover for EICR electrical testing

MP Electrical & Renewable Energy Ltd is based in Rotherham and covers the whole of South Yorkshire and the surrounding region. Wherever you are, a local NAPIT-registered electrician is never far away.

Also Covering

We regularly carry out EICR electrical testing work in Aston, Aughton, Swallownest, Dinnington, Thurcroft, Laughton-en-le-Morthen, Todwick, Wales, Kiveton Park, Harthill, Anston, North Anston, South Anston, Woodsetts, Firbeck, Tickhill, Bawtry, Crowle, Epworth, Mosborough, Waterthorpe, Beighton, Halfway, Killamarsh, Eckington, Chesterfield and Worksop. If you’re nearby and not sure whether we cover your postcode, just give us a ring on 07817 171954 — chances are we do.

Page last updated: 23 June 2026