What an EICR actually is.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a documented inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation - the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, protective devices and earthing - against the current edition of BS 7671. It doesn't cover appliances (that's PAT testing) and it doesn't cover the DNO's side of the supply (that's the network operator's job). It's a survey with a pass/fail grade on each circuit, with observations recorded against defined codes:
- C1 - Danger present. Risk of injury. Immediate action required.
- C2 - Potentially dangerous. Urgent remediation required.
- C3 - Improvement recommended. Non-compliant with current standards but not immediately dangerous.
- FI - Further investigation required, without delay.
An EICR result of "unsatisfactory" means one or more C1, C2 or FI has been recorded. That has to be remediated within 28 days for the property to remain lawfully let under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
Who needs one, and how often.
Private rented properties - England-wide statutory requirement every 5 years, at every change of tenancy where over 5 years since last EICR. Non-compliance is a civil penalty up to £30,000 per breach.
Owner-occupied domestic - BS 7671 recommendation of every 10 years, or at change of occupancy. Not statutory but insurance policies increasingly ask for it after 25 years since last rewire.
Commercial and HMO - typically 5 years, but see risk assessment. HMOs licensed by Dover District Council may have shorter intervals set as a licence condition.
What you get back.
A signed EICR document listing every circuit, every observation, every code, every test result (insulation resistance, Ze, Zs, RCD trip times) with photographs of the consumer unit and any noted defect. Delivered as PDF within 48 hours of the inspection. The report is scheme-issued through NAPIT or NICEIC and is accepted by all UK letting agents, insurers and Dover District Council.
Deal EICR pricing.
EICRs start from £190 for a 1-2 bed flat or terrace. 3-bed semis and terraces, 4-bed detached homes, and 5+ bed properties or those with outbuildings, a granny annexe or multiple sub-mains cost more on top of that base price, scaled to circuit count.
Fixed price after we confirm circuit count. Remediation of any C1/C2 findings quoted separately once the report is issued.