Why 2025–2026 Is the EICR Crunch Year
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 required all private rental properties in England to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) within five years of the regulation coming into force. For most properties, that means their first mandatory EICR was completed in 2020 or 2021.
Five years later, those EICRs are now expiring — all at the same time. The result is a surge in demand for qualified electricians at precisely the moment when supply is already constrained.
What Is an EICR and Why Is It Required?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is an inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It covers:
- The consumer unit (fuse box) and circuit protection devices
- All fixed wiring throughout the property
- Sockets, switches, and light fittings
- Any fixed electrical equipment (electric shower, electric boiler, etc.)
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
Under the 2020 regulations, all private rented properties in England must have a valid EICR. This must be renewed at least every five years, or sooner if the report recommends it. Landlords must:
- Provide a copy of the current EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection
- Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
- Provide a copy to local authorities within 7 days of a request
The Penalty for Non-Compliance
Failing to have a valid EICR in place is a serious offence. Local authorities can issue financial penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. They can also arrange for remedial works to be completed and charge the cost to the landlord.
Beyond the financial penalty, you cannot legally let a property without a valid EICR, and you cannot serve a valid possession notice without having provided the required certificates to your tenant.
Understanding EICR Codes
When an electrician carries out an EICR, they classify any issues they find using a standard coding system:
- C1 — Danger present: Risk of injury or death. Requires immediate action. The property should not be occupied until remedied.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: Must be remedied within 28 days. Landlord must confirm completion in writing to the tenant.
- FI — Further investigation required: Cannot be completed without further investigation. Must be followed up.
- C3 — Improvement recommended: Advisory only. No legal requirement to act, but worth considering.
Only an EICR with no C1, C2, or FI codes is considered satisfactory. Any unsatisfactory EICR means the property is non-compliant until remedial works are verified.
The Capacity Problem: Why You Must Book Early
The 2025–2026 renewal surge creates a genuine supply problem. There is a finite number of qualified electricians in the UK, and they are already busy with commercial, new build, and other residential work in addition to EICR renewals.
The practical consequences of leaving bookings too late include:
- Waiting times of 4–8 weeks or more in high-demand areas
- Higher prices as demand outstrips supply
- Difficulty scheduling around tenant availability
- No time to arrange remedial works before expiry
What About Remedial Works?
A significant proportion of properties — particularly older housing stock — will require remedial works following an EICR. This is especially common in properties built before the 1990s that have not had electrical work done recently.
Remedial works take time to organise and complete, and must be re-inspected and certified. If you leave your EICR until the last moment and remedial works are needed, you will almost certainly be left with a gap in compliance.
Budget for remedials, book early, and leave time for follow-up work.
How Symple Can Help
Symple has a nationwide network of qualified, vetted electricians ready to carry out EICR inspections. We handle tenant access coordination, certificate delivery, and we provide an on-time guarantee — your certificate by the due date or it is free.
- EICR from £140+VAT for up to 3 bedrooms (£11 per additional bedroom)
- Results typically within 48 hours of inspection
- Remedial work arranged through the same network
- Automatic renewal reminders set for 5 years ahead
Do not wait until the summer rush. Book your EICR today and have peace of mind that your properties are covered.