TL;DR
How long does an EICR last? An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) for a landlord is valid for 5 years or until the next change of tenancy — whichever comes first. How long does an EICR last in HMOs and some council-designated areas? Often shorter intervals apply — typically 3-yearly or annual. The certificate must be issued to the tenant within 28 days of inspection. Missing the EICR renewal can trigger fines of up to £30,000 under the 2020 Electrical Safety Standards regulations.
How long does an EICR last for landlords?
So, how long does an EICR last for private rented sector landlords in England? A domestic EICR is valid for a maximum of 5 years. The current EICR must remain in force for the entire duration of any tenancy. If a tenancy changes within the 5-year window, the existing EICR continues to cover the property — a new EICR is not required automatically at every changeover.
This is set out in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, which came into force in June 2020 for new tenancies and April 2021 for existing tenancies. The 5-year EICR cycle has been the national standard since.
How long does an EICR last in practice? The 5-year figure is the maximum, not a guaranteed minimum. The qualified electrician issuing the EICR can specify a shorter validity period if the installation’s condition or use case warrants it — this is recorded on the certificate itself.
How long does an EICR last when earlier renewal applies?
Several triggers shorten the standard EICR cycle and change how long an EICR lasts in practice:
- The electrician’s recommended re-inspection date is earlier. Look at the “Recommended date of next inspection” field on the certificate. If it reads less than 5 years, that date governs — not the calendar maximum. A new EICR after remedial work also resets the cycle and writes a fresh date.
- The property is in a council-designated additional or selective licensing area that mandates shorter intervals. Some London boroughs require 3-yearly EICRs as a licence condition. Always check the local authority’s requirements.
- The property is an HMO (see below — separate rules apply).
How long does an EICR last for HMOs?
HMOs are regulated separately, and how long an EICR lasts for an HMO depends on the licence. Under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 and the 2020 Electrical Safety Standards together, HMO EICRs are typically required every 5 years as the national default, but many local authorities require annual or 3-yearly inspections as a condition of the HMO licence.
For HMO landlords, how long does an EICR last is determined by the licence — the operative rule is: whatever your local council requires for the licence, not the national 5-year EICR default. Always confirm with the licensing team at the relevant London borough.
For the full HMO licensing context, see our HMO licensing in London pillar guide. [P5 placeholder — replace when published]
EICR renewal triggers — at a glance
| Trigger | Required action | Penalty for missing |
|---|---|---|
| 5-year anniversary | Book EICR renewal; deliver new certificate within 28 days | Up to £30,000 per offence |
| Earlier recommended re-inspection date on certificate | Book the renewal at the recommended date, not the 5-year mark | Up to £30,000 per offence |
| C1 fault identified at last inspection | Remediate within 28 days; commission re-inspection certificate | Up to £30,000; criminal liability if harm |
| C2 fault identified | Remediate within 28 days; commission re-inspection certificate | Up to £30,000 |
| Significant electrical works (re-wire, new consumer unit) | New EICR after works complete; old certificate superseded | Same — and insurance/lender risks |
| HMO licence condition | Whatever frequency the local council specifies — typically 1 or 3 yearly | HMO licence revocation, plus £30,000 |
What about delivering the certificate to the tenant?
The 2020 Electrical Safety Standards regulations require the landlord to:
- Provide a copy to the existing tenant within 28 days of inspection (or before a new tenant moves in).
- Provide a new tenant with a copy of the EICR before they move in.
- Provide the local authority with a copy within 7 days if requested.
- Keep a copy until the next inspection is carried out.
Failing to deliver the certificate is treated as a separate compliance failure from the inspection itself — both attract penalties up to £30,000.
What happens if the EICR expires?
An expired EICR puts the landlord into immediate non-compliance with the 2020 Electrical Safety Standards regulations. Local authorities have enforcement powers including remedial notices, urgent remedial notices, and financial penalties up to £30,000 per offence. Insurance cover may also be void during the period of expired EICR, exposing the landlord to liability if an electrical incident causes harm.
The practical risk is not the inspection itself — it’s the gap between EICRs. The real answer to “how long does an EICR last” is therefore practical, not pedantic — book the EICR renewal before the existing certificate expires, not after. A 5-year EICR cycle gives ample lead time, and knowing how long does an EICR last makes forward planning simple.
How much does an EICR cost in London?
Click Inventories’ standalone EICR is £170. In our compliance bundle (EPC + Gas Safety + EICR together) the total is £320 — saving £20 against the standalone sum. For the full price breakdown by property size and EICR renewal scenarios, see our EICR cost guide. [S2.1 placeholder — replace when published]
For the broader compliance context — EICR alongside Gas Safety and EPC — see our EICR and landlord safety certificates pillar guide. [P2 placeholder — replace when published]
Working with Click Inventories
Click Inventories’ EICR service is delivered by qualified electricians across Greater London. Reports are delivered within our standard 72-hour window, signed and dated, ready for tenant and local-authority delivery. We bundle EICR with EPC and Gas Safety where the renewal cycles align, reducing total landlord compliance cost.
See our full compliance bundle or read about why landlords choose us.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an EICR last in 2026?
How long does an EICR last in 2026? It remains valid for 5 years for most domestic private rented properties in England, or shorter if the inspecting electrician specifies an earlier re-inspection date on the certificate. HMOs and properties under additional/selective licensing schemes may require shorter intervals — check the local council’s licence conditions.
Does an EICR need renewing every tenancy?
Not automatically. The current EICR continues to cover the property for its full validity period regardless of tenancy changeovers. The exception is if the EICR is about to expire when a new tenant is moving in — in that case the landlord should renew the EICR before the new tenancy starts to avoid issuing an in-date certificate to the new tenant and then having to re-issue weeks later.
What’s the difference between an EICR and a PAT test?
An EICR examines the fixed wiring of the property — the consumer unit, sockets, switches, light fittings, and the cabling between them. A PAT test (Portable Appliance Testing) examines plug-in appliances that the landlord provides — kettles, microwaves, lamps, etc. The two are complementary; neither replaces the other. PAT tests are not legally required for landlords but are best practice for furnished lets.
What if my EICR has C1 or C2 faults?
C1 (Danger present) and C2 (Potentially dangerous) faults must be remediated within 28 days of the inspection — or sooner if the EICR specifies a shorter window. After remediation, a re-inspection is needed to confirm the fault is resolved; the new certificate then runs its own validity period. C3 (Improvement recommended) faults do not require immediate action but should be planned for at the next EICR renewal.
Where do I store old EICRs?
Keep a copy of the current EICR until the next inspection replaces it. Click Inventories retains digital copies on our secure systems for the duration of the EICR validity period plus a buffer, but the landlord remains responsible for compliance — keep your own copy in a recoverable format.
