Brentwood Electrical ServicesBrentwood, Essex
Landlord EICR Brentwood CM14
If you let out a property, you need to know the electrics are safe and that you can show it.
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Landlord EICR in Brentwood: what it involves and when to book
A landlord EICR is an electrical installation condition report: a documented inspection and testing of the fixed wiring and the systems connected to it. Brentwood Electrical Services offers Landlord EICR for landlords in Brentwood and across Essex, and this page explains what the job covers and when to arrange it.
What happens, step by step
Every property is different, but a typical Landlord EICR follows this general pattern.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Enquiry | You send the enquiry form with the property address, type of property and whether it is currently let. |
| 2. Arranging access | A suitable visit is agreed, and tenants are told in advance if the property is occupied. |
| 3. Inspection | The electrician visually inspects the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches and fittings. |
| 4. Testing | Each circuit is tested with instruments, usually with the power off for short periods. |
| 5. The report | The findings are written up in the condition report EICR, with any observations coded by urgency. |
| 6. Follow-up | If remedial work is needed, it is discussed and quoted separately, and the report is passed to you to keep and share with tenants. |
Check GOV.UK for the current rules on landlord electrical safety.
What a landlord EICR actually involves
An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. You may also see it called an installation condition report, a condition report or, informally, an EICR certificate. Whatever the name, it is a record of the installation condition at the time of the inspection.
The electrician looks at the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit (fuse board), the circuits feeding sockets, lights and appliances, the switches and fittings, and the earthing and bonding. The visual inspection looks for damage, wear, overloading, poor repairs and anything that does not look right for the age of the system. Then comes the testing, which uses instruments to measure things the eye cannot see, such as how well each circuit is protected and whether the wiring is performing as it should.
Some of this needs the power switched off for a period, so expect some disruption to the supply. If the property is occupied, it helps to let your tenants know in advance and to arrange access.
The finished report lists any observations and gives each a code showing how urgent it is. Some issues are a danger and need attention straight away. Others need improvement, and some are only recommendations. The overall result is marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result is not a failure of you as a landlord. It tells you what needs putting right so the property can be made safe.
When to arrange a landlord EICR
The most common trigger is timing. The report states when the next inspection is due, and for rented homes that is often every five years, or sooner if the electrician recommends it. Put the date in your diary well ahead so you are not rushing when it expires.
Other good moments to book a Landlord EICR:
Before a new tenancy starts, so the property is checked and documented before someone moves in.
When you take over a rental property from another landlord and have no report, or an old one.
After major electrical work, such as a rewire, an extension or a consumer unit replacement.
When tenants report tripping circuits, flickering lights, warm sockets or a burning smell. Treat these as a prompt to act, not something to leave until the next scheduled check.
If you are buying or selling a let property, our EICR for Buying or Selling service may suit you better. If you also manage business premises, Commercial EICR is a separate service with its own considerations.
Your duties as a landlord and what tenants should see
In general terms, landlords of privately rented homes in England are required to ensure the electrical installation is inspected and tested at regular intervals by a suitably qualified person. They must also give tenants a copy of the report and act on any urgent work it identifies within the time the rules set out. This is a legal requirement, and your local council can enforce it.
Rules like this can change, and the details differ depending on the type of tenancy and where the property is. Always check GOV.UK for the current position before you rely on anything you have read here, including this page.
Beyond the legal side, a clean report gives you peace of mind. It shows you have taken electrical safety seriously, it reduces the risk of a fault going unnoticed, and it helps tenants feel their home is looked after. When you are choosing who to hire, ask who will carry out the work, and use qualified electricians who can explain their findings in plain English. Ask for the report in writing and keep it with your other property certificates and tenancy records.
What affects the cost, and why remedial work is separate
We do not give figures on this page, because the price depends on the property. The main things that affect the cost of a landlord EICR are:
The size of the property and the number of circuits to test.
The number of consumer units and how easy they are to reach.
The age and condition of the wiring, which can affect how long the inspection takes.
Whether the property is occupied, and how easily access can be arranged.
How many separate units are involved, if you are inspecting several flats or a whole portfolio.
The cost of the inspection is for the inspection and the report. It is separate from any follow-up work. If the report finds something that must be fixed, such as damaged wiring, a missing protective device or an outdated consumer unit, that repair is a separate job. You can then ask for a quote for the necessary work, compare it, and decide how to proceed. Where upgrades are advised, our Consumer Unit Upgrades and Electrician services are available, but you are under no obligation to use us for them.
Landlord EICR across Brentwood and nearby towns
Brentwood Electrical Services covers Brentwood and the surrounding area, including Shenfield, Hutton, Ingatestone and Kelvedon Hatch. Whether you have a single flat or several properties, the process is the same: tell us about the property through the enquiry form, and we will take it from there.
It helps to include the type of property, roughly how many bedrooms it has, whether it is currently let, and any known electrical problems. If you have a previous report, mention that too. It gives the electrician useful background on the installation.
Questions about this
Is an EICR the same as an EICR certificate?
People use the terms interchangeably. The document is formally an Electrical Installation Condition Report, and many landlords call it an EICR certificate. What matters is that it is a full report of the inspection and testing, not just a one-page sign-off.
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
Each report states when the next one is due, and for rented homes that is often every five years, or sooner if the electrician advises. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current requirements for your type of tenancy.
What happens if my report is unsatisfactory?
It means the report has found issues that need attention. Urgent ones should be dealt with quickly, and the rules set time limits for landlords. Once the work is done, you can ask for confirmation that the issues have been fixed. Remedial work is separate from the inspection itself.
Do I need to give my tenants a copy of the report?
In general, yes. Landlords are expected to provide existing tenants with a copy of the report and to give it to new tenants before they move in. Check GOV.UK for the current rules that apply to you.
What you get
Clear, written findings
The condition report EICR sets out what was inspected, what was found and whether the installation is satisfactory, so you have a record you can keep and pass on.
Built around rented property
Landlord EICR is one of our listed services, alongside Consumer Unit Upgrades and general electrician work, so any follow-up work can be discussed in one place.
Serving towns around Brentwood
We cover Brentwood, Shenfield, Hutton, Ingatestone and Kelvedon Hatch. Use the enquiry form to tell us where your property is.