An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a formal inspection and test of the fixed wiring in a property, carried out to assess whether the electrical installation is safe for continued use. It is not the same as a quick visual check, and it is not just paperwork. A proper EICR involves testing circuits, opening selected accessories, checking protective devices and recording observations clearly.
For many customers in Kettering, the first time they hear about an EICR is during a house purchase, a rental renewal, a commercial lease, or after an electrical problem. The report can look technical, but the purpose is simple: identify electrical risks before they become shocks, fires, nuisance tripping or failed compliance checks.
What Does an EICR Check?
An EICR looks at the condition of the fixed electrical installation. That includes the consumer unit, earthing and bonding, circuit protection, cables, sockets, switches, lighting points and other fixed accessories. The electrician will test whether circuits disconnect quickly enough under fault conditions, whether insulation resistance is acceptable, and whether the installation has suitable protection for the way it is used.
The inspection also checks for signs of damage, overheating, poor workmanship, incorrect alterations and older equipment that no longer meets current safety expectations. The report is not about forcing every older property to be brand new. It is about recording whether the installation is safe for continued use and what, if anything, needs attention.
- Consumer unit condition, labelling and suitability.
- RCD or RCBO protection where required.
- Earthing and bonding arrangements.
- Socket, lighting and fixed equipment circuit testing.
- Visible damage, heat damage, loose accessories or poor connections.
Who Usually Needs One?
Landlords in England generally need a valid EICR for rental properties at least every 5 years, unless the previous report states a shorter interval. The report should be kept available for tenants, letting agents and the local authority if requested. If you manage more than one rental property, ongoing landlord electrical compliance support can make inspection dates, remedials and certificates much easier to control.
Homeowners are not usually under the same legal duty, but an EICR is still useful. It can give confidence before buying a property, before major renovation work, after unexplained electrical faults, or where a house has older wiring and no recent electrical records. Buyers often use an EICR to understand whether the consumer unit, bonding or circuits are likely to need investment after completion.
Businesses and light commercial premises may need periodic inspection as part of wider health and safety management, insurance expectations or lease obligations. The right interval depends on the premises, use and previous report recommendations.
What Do the Codes Mean?
EICR observations are usually coded. C1 means danger is present and urgent action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous and remedial work is required. FI means further investigation is needed without delay. C3 is an improvement recommendation, not normally a reason for the report to be unsatisfactory on its own.
Entigen provides EICR testing in Kettering for landlords, homeowners and businesses, with practical reporting and clear next steps where remedial work is needed.
What Happens After the Report?
If the report is satisfactory, keep it safely with your property records. For landlords, note the next inspection date and make sure tenants or agents can access the document if required. For homeowners, it is useful evidence for future sale, renovation planning or insurance discussions.
If the report is unsatisfactory, the next step is to price the remedial work. That might be a damaged accessory, missing bonding, a consumer unit issue, a circuit fault, or further testing to locate a defect. Once work is complete, the electrician should provide the relevant certificate or written confirmation for the parts repaired. A full new EICR is not always needed after every remedial item, but the paperwork must make clear what has been corrected.
EICR FAQs
How long does an EICR take?
A typical domestic EICR may take a few hours, depending on the property size, number of circuits, access and condition. Larger homes or commercial premises can take longer.
Will power be switched off?
Yes, power usually needs to be isolated for parts of the testing. A good electrician will explain this before starting and work sensibly around the property.
Can an EICR fail because the consumer unit is old?
Age alone is not the issue. The report considers safety, condition, protection and suitability. Older equipment may attract observations if it creates a safety concern or lacks required protection.
Can you help after a failed EICR?
Yes. Entigen can quote remedial work, complete repairs where instructed and provide the appropriate certification for your records.