If you let residential property in England, you need a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is not guidance and it is not optional, and it applies to the property you are letting right now.
Where the duty comes from
The requirement sits in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Those rules applied to new tenancies from 1 July 2020, and to all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. There is no grandfathering left to rely on.
The duty is on you as the landlord. You must ensure the electrical installation is inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at intervals of no more than five years, and you must obtain a report of the results.
What actually gets inspected
The regulations cover the fixed electrical installation, which in practice means:
- The consumer unit, still widely called the fuse board
- Fixed wiring throughout the property
- Sockets, switches and light fittings
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
- Permanently connected equipment such as extractor fans, showers and cookers
Plug-in appliances. A kettle, a lamp or a tenant’s television is not part of the fixed installation. Testing those is a separate exercise known as PAT testing, and for most lets it is good practice rather than a legal duty.
What you have to do with the report
Getting the inspection done is only half of it. Once you hold the report you must:
- Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Give a copy to any new tenant before they occupy the property
- Supply a copy to the local authority within 7 days if they ask for one
- Keep a copy to hand to whoever carries out the next inspection
If the report comes back unsatisfactory, the remedial work must be carried out within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period, and you then need written confirmation that the work is complete.
What happens if you do not
Local authorities can impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000 for each breach. That maximum rose from £30,000 on 1 November 2025. A missing or expired certificate can also weaken your position if you later need to rely on possession proceedings.
The short version
Renew at least every five years, use a qualified person, act on any C1, C2 or FI within 28 days, and keep the paperwork somewhere you can actually find it.
This guide covers England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own requirements. It is general information, not legal advice.
