How Often Should You Get an EICR?

One of the most common questions we are asked is how often an Electrical Installation Condition Report is needed. The answer depends on the type of property, how it is used, and in some cases, legal requirements. Getting the interval right protects your safety, keeps you compliant, and avoids the false economy of over-testing or the risk of under-testing.

Rental Properties: Every Five Years

Since July 2020, private landlords in England must have the electrical installation in their rental properties inspected and tested by a qualified person at intervals not exceeding five years. A copy of the EICR must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they occupy the property. Local authorities can impose fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance.

If a tenant reports an electrical fault, or if there is a change of tenancy, the landlord should consider whether an earlier inspection is warranted. While not legally required at every change of tenancy, it is good practice and reduces liability if a problem arises later.

Homeowners: Every Ten Years

For owner-occupied homes, there is no legal requirement to have an EICR. However, BS 7671 recommends that the electrical installation is inspected at least every ten years, or on change of occupancy. If your home is over 25 years old and has never had a full inspection, you should treat an EICR as a priority regardless of the ten-year guideline.

There are also specific situations where an EICR is strongly advised even if the ten-year interval has not elapsed. These include before and after major building work, if you have experienced recurring electrical problems such as tripping or flickering lights, or if you are planning to install an EV charger, solar panels, or an extension that will add new circuits.

Commercial and Industrial Premises

Commercial buildings generally require an EICR every five years, though the exact interval should be determined by a risk assessment. High-risk environments such as industrial units, swimming pools, caravan parks, and petrol stations may require testing every one to three years. The frequency should be recorded in your health and safety documentation and reviewed after any significant change of use or equipment upgrade.

• Offices and retail: every 5 years
• Industrial units and factories: every 3 years
• Swimming pools and saunas: annually
• Caravan parks and marinas: annually
• Agricultural and horticultural buildings: every 3 years
• Temporary installations and construction sites: every 3 months

Special Circumstances

If your property has flooded, been struck by lightning, or suffered significant structural damage, an immediate EICR is essential even if the last report was issued recently. Water ingress can degrade insulation, lightning can damage surge protection, and vibration from structural movement can loosen connections.

Regardless of the legal interval, the best approach is to treat electrical safety as an ongoing responsibility rather than a box-ticking exercise. Regular visual checks by a competent person between formal inspections can catch problems early and prevent minor defects from becoming dangerous.