Last Updated: October 25, 2026
Quick Summary
An electrical installation condition report is a professional inspection and assessment of a building’s electrical systems that examines fixed wiring, circuits, protective devices, and earthing to identify safety hazards and compliance issues. A qualified electrician inspects everything from the consumer unit to hidden wiring, documenting findings using standardized codes to tell you whether your installation is safe or needs remedial work.
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) is a professional inspection and assessment of the electrical systems in a building.
Think of an EICR as a health check for your property’s electrical infrastructure.
The report documents what they find using standardized codes and outcomes. It tells you whether your electrical installation is safe to use, or whether remedial work is needed.
EICRs are particularly important for rented homes and commercial properties, where landlords and facility managers have a legal duty to ensure electrical safety. Many insurance policies also require one before covering electrical claims.
The primary purpose of an electrical installation condition report is to identify electrical defects and safety risks before they cause harm. It protects occupants from electric shock and reduces fire risk from faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.
An EICR inspection covers:
The inspection does NOT typically test plug-in appliances or portable equipment, that’s a separate process called appliance testing. An EICR focuses on the permanent electrical installation. Electrical risk assessment methodology provides a deeper understanding of how inspectors identify and evaluate electrical hazards.
For landlords and property managers, guidance from the Health and Safety Executive emphasizes that regular electrical inspections are a legal requirement to manage electrical risks and demonstrate duty of care.
The scope depends on the property type and age. Older properties may have outdated wiring that doesn’t meet current standards, while newer builds are checked against the latest IET Wiring Regulations.
The inspection itself typically takes between 1 and 3 hours for a domestic property, depending on size, age and the number of circuits. Larger commercial premises, or properties with extensive distribution boards and outbuildings, can take a full day or require more than one visit. The table below sets out a realistic end-to-end timeline so you can plan around occupants, tenants and any remedial work.
| Stage | Typical duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Booking and pre-visit information | 1-5 working days | Agree scope, confirm access, share previous certificates and note any known faults |
| Visual inspection | 30-60 minutes | Check consumer unit, circuits, earthing and bonding, and visible wiring |
| Testing and measurements | 30-90 minutes | Dead and live tests on individual circuits using insulation resistance, continuity and RCD testers |
| Report writing and issue | 3-10 working days | Observations coded, schedule of test results compiled, report signed and sent |
| Remedial quotation | 1-2 weeks | Electrician prices C1, C2 and C3 items; C1 work should be arranged immediately |
| Remedial work and re-inspection | Varies by finding | C1 fixed before continued use; C2 planned within months; C3 scheduled with maintenance |
On the day itself, expect the electrician to need access to the consumer unit, meter tails, loft or roof voids, under-stair cupboards, and any outbuildings on a separate circuit. Clear these areas in advance and confirm parking or entry arrangements.
Power interruptions are usually brief and circuit-by-circuit rather than a whole-property shutdown. The electrician isolates individual circuits to test them safely, so expect short outages to lighting or sockets in one area at a time.
After the visit, the written report is normally issued within a week, though complex installations can take longer. If the electrician identifies a C1 finding, they should tell you on the day rather than waiting for the report, because that circuit should not be used until the danger is removed. Build the report delivery date into your compliance calendar so you are not chasing it close to a tenancy renewal or insurance deadline.
An electrical installation condition report inspection focuses on fixed wiring and the permanent electrical installation. This includes all cables, circuits, and equipment built into the building.
The inspection covers:
The electrician will NOT test portable appliances, extension leads, or plug-in equipment during an EICR. Those require separate appliance testing.
Fixed wiring inspection is thorough but non-invasive. The electrician won’t remove walls or floorboards unless there’s already visible damage suggesting deeper problems.
Every defect found during an electrical installation condition report is coded to show its severity.
C1, Danger present. An immediate risk of injury.
C2, Potentially dangerous. A defect that could become dangerous under fault conditions or normal use.
C3, Improvement recommended. The installation is not necessarily unsafe, but it does not meet current standards.
FI, Further investigation required. The electrician could not fully assess an area because of access limits, hidden wiring or unclear installation details.
How a real report records findings. A completed EICR is not just a list of codes. It contains an observations schedule, a schedule of test results, and a summary of the overall condition. A typical observation entry looks like this:
| Code | Location | Observation | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| C2 | Kitchen | No RCD protection to socket-outlets | Install RCD protection or RCBOs |
| C3 | Consumer unit | Circuits not identified by a durable label | Fit a legible circuit chart |
| FI | Loft | Unable to verify condition of concealed wiring | Arrange further investigation |
Acting on the codes. For C1, isolate the affected circuit and arrange remedial work straight away. For C2, obtain quotations from a competent electrician and schedule the work within a reasonable period, keeping the quotation and invoice with the report. For C3, add the items to your maintenance plan. For FI, arrange the further investigation the report recommends so the area can be properly assessed. Keep the original report and any remedial certificates together, because they form the evidence trail for landlords, insurers and auditors.
People often confuse an EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) with an EICR. They’re different documents serving different purposes.
An EIC is issued when new electrical work is completed or installed. It confirms that the work meets current standards and is safe.
An EICR is a periodic inspection of an existing electrical installation.
For more detail on how these differ, the difference between EICR and periodic inspection explains the key distinctions and when each applies.
Key differences:
| Document | Purpose | When Needed | Issued After |
|---|---|---|---|
| EIC | Certifies new work is compliant | New installation or major work | Work completion |
| EICR | Assesses existing installation condition | Periodic checks, compliance | Inspection visit |
Preparing for an electrical installation condition report inspection takes minimal effort but improves the process. Here’s what to do beforehand:
Before the electrician arrives:
On the day of inspection:
After the inspection:
You don’t need to do anything special to “prepare” your electrics. The inspection finds what’s there. Your job is simply to provide access and clear the path to key areas.
Once you receive your electrical installation condition report, you’ll have a clear picture of your electrical installation’s condition and what needs addressing.
If the report shows C1 findings, contact a qualified electrician immediately. Don’t use the affected circuits until remedial work is complete.
For C2 and C3 findings, get quotes from competent electricians and plan the work. C2 issues should be addressed within months; C3 items can be scheduled during routine maintenance or planned upgrades. How to prepare for electrical safety audits guides you through the follow-up process and helps you manage remedial work effectively.
guidance on preparing for electrical safety audits helps you understand what comes next after your EICR and how to manage the remedial process.
Keep your EICR report safe. You’ll need it for:
If you manage a team responsible for electrical safety compliance across multiple sites, specialist training in electrical risk assessment and wiring regulations helps you interpret reports confidently and manage remedial work effectively.
An electrical installation condition report (EICR) assesses the safety of fixed electrical wiring and equipment in a property. It identifies deterioration, damage, and non-compliant installations that pose fire risk or electric shock hazards. For landlords, it demonstrates compliance with legal duties to tenants. For property owners, it confirms whether the installation meets current safety standards and highlights repairs needed before issues become dangerous.
An EICR inspection typically takes 1-3 hours, depending on property size, circuit complexity, and the condition of the installation. A small flat may take 1-1.5 hours; a larger house or commercial property may take 2-3 hours. After testing, the qualified electrician compiles the report, which usually takes 3-5 working days. Plan for minimal disruption: the inspector needs access to the consumer unit, circuits, and accessible wiring, but most testing is non-invasive.
EICR codes classify the severity of defects found. C1 (danger present) indicates immediate risk of electric shock or fire and requires urgent remedial work. C2 (potentially dangerous) describes defects that may become dangerous; work should be scheduled soon. C3 (improvement recommended) notes non-compliant but lower-risk items. FI (further investigation) means the inspector cannot confirm the condition and needs specialist assessment. The report details which code applies to each finding and the priority for repairs.
An EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) is issued after new electrical work is completed, confirming the installation meets regulations. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a periodic inspection of existing installations to assess their current safety. You receive an EIC once after installation; you need an EICR every 1-5 years depending on property type and usage. For rental properties, an EICR is a legal requirement; for owner-occupied homes, it is recommended for safety and insurance purposes.
