Landlords, is your EICR renewal for 2025 on track?
Posted January 27th 2025
What is the EICR?
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations were introduced by the UK government in 2020 to improve tenant safety. These regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested at least once every five years. Once the inspection has taken place, landlords must obtain a report—usually an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)—from the qualified professional conducting the inspection. This report details the inspection findings and highlights any necessary remedial work.
An EICR ensures that electrical systems in private rental homes comply with rigorous safety standards. While typically valid for five years, a new report may be required sooner if a tenancy changes or other property-specific conditions apply.
Lessons from the past
When these regulations first took effect in 2020/2021, nearly all rental properties needed an EICR within a 12-month window. This sudden surge in demand overwhelmed contractors, driving up prices and causing significant delays for landlords seeking certification. Many landlords faced costly compliance hurdles and timing challenges due to limited availability.
Planning ahead for renewals
As we approach the five-year renewal cycle from April this year, we anticipate another period of high demand for electrical safety inspections. To avoid delays and ensure your property remains compliant, we have secured sufficient capacity within our trusted contractor network. However, given market pressures, proactive planning is essential.
We strongly recommend landlords set a pre-approved budget for any necessary remedial works that may arise. If an EICR fails, the law requires remedial actions to be completed within 28 days as missing this deadline can place you in breach of the regulations. Given the anticipated demand for inspections, booking a follow-up appointment within the required timeframe may prove challenging.
Suggested remedial work budget
To streamline the renewal process, we recommend landlords authorise a spend cap of for any remedial works that need to be carried out at the time of inspection. This approach allows our team to address any compliance issues immediately, ensuring your property remains safe and legally compliant without delay. Given the high volume of EICRs that need renewing from April this year, it will be very difficult to get a 2nd appointment at short notice should it become necessary for remedial works. We would recommend that landlords give authority for a spend of up to £350, for remedials to be carried out on the day of the certificate being renewed. Once renewed, they will be valid for a further 5 years, giving you peace of mind and ensuring you remain compliant.
We’ll contact you in due course
Our dedicated lettings client services team will contact you to discuss your specific EICR renewal needs and help you stay ahead of the 2025 deadline.
