EICR Explained: Electrical Safety Reports for Homes and Rentals

What an EICR actually covers

An EICR focuses on the fixed installation rather than portable appliances. That means items such as the consumer unit, circuit breakers, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, earthing arrangements and the bonding of gas and water pipes where required.

The inspection includes visual checks and electrical testing to identify wear, damage, deterioration, poor workmanship and anything that no longer meets current safety expectations. It is not simply about whether the lights turn on. The aim is to decide whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use.

In London and Surrey homes, common issues include ageing fuse boards, older cabling, overloaded socket circuits in small rooms, and alterations carried out across different decades. Flat conversions can also raise questions around shared supplies, access to meters and whether previous work has been properly coordinated.

• It does cover fixed wiring and circuits
• It does cover the consumer unit and protective devices
• It does cover earthing and bonding
• It does not cover the condition of every portable appliance you plug in
• It does not replace specialist checks needed before major rewiring or refurbishment

How to spot problems early before an inspection

You do not need to be an electrician to notice warning signs. What you can do is pay attention to changes in day-to-day use and avoid ignoring minor faults that keep coming back. Repeated nuisance tripping, warm sockets, buzzing fittings and scorch marks all need proper attention.

Older properties often reveal issues gradually. A terrace with too few sockets may end up relying on extension leads, while a converted flat may have circuits added in stages over many years. Neither automatically means the installation is unsafe, but both are reasons to be cautious and to arrange a professional assessment.

• Check for cracked sockets, loose switches or discoloured faceplates
• Notice if lights flicker when appliances are used elsewhere in the home
• Take seriously any burning smell near the consumer unit, plugs or fittings
• Watch for repeated tripping of breakers or RCDs
• Be wary of DIY alterations, especially in kitchens, bathrooms and outbuildings

The report codes decoded

An EICR uses standard observation codes to show how urgent each issue is. The two most important for most homeowners and landlords are C1 and C2, because these affect whether the report is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

A C1 code means danger is present and there is an immediate risk of injury. A C2 code means the issue is potentially dangerous and needs urgent remedial work. There may also be a C3 recommendation for improvement, which is not usually classed as immediately unsafe, and FI, which means further investigation is required without delay.

• C1: Danger present. Immediate action required.
• C2: Potentially dangerous. Urgent remedial work required.
• C3: Improvement recommended. Not usually a reason on its own for an unsatisfactory report.
• FI: Further investigation required without delay.

Landlord obligations and why timing matters

For landlords, the key point is that the electrical installation in a rented property must be inspected and tested at the required intervals, and the report must be acted on where necessary. If the EICR identifies C1, C2 or FI observations, remedial work or further investigation should not be put off.

This is particularly relevant in London and Surrey rentals, where older stock, frequent tenant turnover and past alterations can increase the chance of defects being found. Access can also be slower to arrange in mansion blocks, converted houses and streets with restricted parking, so it is sensible to plan ahead rather than wait until a tenancy deadline is close.

Keep records, share the report where required, and make sure any remedial work is completed by a suitably qualified professional. If you are buying a rental property or taking over management of one, do not assume an old report still reflects the current condition of the installation.

What to do about C1 and C2 defects

If a report identifies a C1 defect, treat it as immediate. Depending on the issue, the dangerous part of the installation may need to be isolated there and then. Do not continue using affected circuits or fittings until they have been made safe.

A C2 defect also needs prompt attention, even if nothing has failed yet. Typical examples might include inadequate bonding, problems with protective devices or defects in accessories and wiring that could lead to electric shock or fire if left unresolved. The correct response is to arrange remedial work, not to monitor it and hope it does not worsen.

What you can safely do yourself is limited. You can stop using a damaged socket, unplug appliances from a suspect circuit if advised, and keep the area clear if there are signs of overheating. You should not remove covers, attempt repairs inside the consumer unit or replace fixed wiring.

• Call a qualified electrician if you have a C1 or C2 observation
• Do not use damaged fittings or circuits that have been identified as unsafe
• Do not rely on cosmetic fixes such as taping cracked accessories
• Ask for remedial work to be clearly listed so you understand what is being corrected

When owners should consider an EICR

Even if you are not a landlord, there are clear times when an EICR is worth arranging. These include buying an older home, carrying out renovation work, adding high-demand appliances, noticing repeated electrical faults or moving into a property where the history of the installation is unclear.

Local housing types often make this especially sensible. Victorian and Edwardian homes may have had multiple upgrades over the years, and flat conversions can conceal inherited issues from previous layouts. If you also have external power in a small garden, shed or side return, those additions should be part of the wider safety picture.

CS Services covers London and Surrey and welcomes enquiries for electrical work ahead of launch. Electrical services are advertised as coming soon, so if you need advice or want to discuss upcoming work, it is reasonable to ask early and plan ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions