Landlord EICR Guide: Electrical Safety Certificate Rules for 2026

If you’re a landlord in Rotherham or South Yorkshire, keeping on top of electrical safety isn’t optional. It’s the law. Since June 2020, all private landlords in England must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for their rental properties. And with the Renters’ Rights Act now in full force as of May 2026, the penalties for non-compliance have increased significantly.

Here’s everything you need to know about your legal obligations, the inspection process and how to stay compliant.

What Is an EICR?

An EICR, sometimes called an electrical safety certificate or landlord electrical certificate, is a formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property. That includes the wiring, the consumer unit (fuse board), sockets, light fittings and any permanently connected equipment.

The inspection checks for deterioration, defects, damage and anything that doesn’t meet current safety standards. At the end, the electrician issues a report grading any issues found. You can learn more on our EICR service page.

Who Needs an EICR?

All private landlords in England who rent out residential property must have a valid EICR. This applies to houses, flats, HMOs and any other dwelling let under an assured shorthold tenancy or licence to occupy. Social housing providers are also now covered under the expanded regulations.

How Often Do You Need One?

An EICR is valid for a maximum of five years, provided the report comes back as satisfactory. However, the inspecting electrician can recommend a shorter interval, sometimes one to two years, if the wiring is older or if minor issues are found. You must follow whatever interval the report specifies.

What Happens During the Inspection?

A qualified electrician will test the electrical installation across the property, including:

• The condition and suitability of the consumer unit
• Earthing and bonding arrangements
• All circuits for insulation resistance, polarity and continuity
• RCD operation and trip times
• Sockets, switches and light fittings for damage or defects

The inspection typically takes two to four hours depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits.

Understanding the Results

Issues found during the inspection are coded:

• C1: Danger present: An immediate risk of injury. The electrician may make the hazard safe before leaving. Urgent remedial work is required.
• C2: Potentially dangerous: A fault that could become dangerous. Remedial work must be completed within 28 days (or sooner if specified).
• C3: Improvement recommended: Not a safety risk, but an area where the installation could be improved. No action is legally required.
• FI: Further investigation: The electrician needs to investigate further to determine whether a defect exists.

If any C1 or C2 codes are found, the report is classed as unsatisfactory and you must arrange remedial work.

Your Legal Obligations as a Landlord

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must:

• Have a valid EICR before a new tenancy begins
• Repeat the inspection at least every five years
• Complete any remedial work flagged as C1 or C2 within 28 days
• Provide a copy of the report to tenants before they move in (new tenancies) or within 28 days of the inspection (existing tenancies)
• Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days if requested

Penalties for Non-Compliance: Now Up to £40,000

This is the big change for 2026. Since the Renters’ Rights Act came into full force on 1st May 2026, the maximum civil penalty for electrical safety breaches has increased to £40,000 per offence. Local authorities can also issue remediation notices requiring you to carry out the work, and in serious cases, they can arrange the work themselves and recover the cost from you.

Non-compliance can also affect your ability to serve valid Section 21 notices and could expose you to personal liability claims if a tenant is injured.

Who Can Carry Out an EICR?

The regulations require a “qualified and competent” electrician. The simplest way to demonstrate this is by using someone registered with a government-approved scheme such as NAPIT or NICEIC. As a NAPIT registered electrician, I carry out EICRs across Rotherham, Maltby, Wickersley, and the wider South Yorkshire area.

Common Issues I Find During Landlord EICRs

From my experience inspecting rental properties across Rotherham, the most common issues include outdated consumer units without RCD protection, lack of adequate earthing and bonding, damaged or deteriorating wiring in older properties, bathroom installations not meeting current zone regulations, and missing or faulty smoke and heat detector wiring.

Many of these can be resolved relatively quickly. If your consumer unit needs replacing, that’s typically a half-day job.

Book Your Landlord EICR in Rotherham

Don’t risk a £40,000 fine. If your EICR is due for renewal, or you haven’t had one done yet, get in touch today. I offer competitive turnaround times and can usually book inspections within a few days.

Request a free quote or call me to arrange your EICR inspection.