EICR Certificate London — From £100, City&Guilds Certified

What is an EICR?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced by a qualified electrician after a thorough inspection and testing of a property's fixed electrical installations. It assesses whether the wiring, circuits, and electrical components within a building are safe, in good working order, and compliant with the current UK wiring standard — BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition).

An EICR does not certify new installation work — that is covered by an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). Instead, it evaluates the existing state of an electrical system that has been in use, identifying deterioration, damage, overloading, or anything that falls below modern safety standards.

What does an EICR inspection involve?

During an EICR, a City&Guilds certified electrician carries out a thorough inspection and testing of every fixed electrical component in your property. Plug-in appliances are not included — only systems permanently installed in the building. The inspection covers:

The inspection typically takes 2–3 hours for a standard London flat. Larger properties or those with older wiring can take 4–6 hours.

Understanding EICR fault codes — C1, C2, C3 and FI

Every issue found during an EICR inspection is assigned a code that tells you how serious it is and what action is required.

C1 Danger present — immediate action required

A live risk of electric shock or fire exists right now. The electrician is obligated to make the fault safe before leaving where possible. A C1 automatically results in an Unsatisfactory report.

Real examples: exposed live wiring behind a socket, a missing earth on a bathroom circuit, severely damaged cable in a consumer unit.

C2 Potentially dangerous — remedial work required within 28 days

Not an immediate threat, but likely to become one. Landlords must have C2 faults fixed and evidenced within 28 days of receiving the report — failure risks a fine of up to £30,000. A C2 also results in an Unsatisfactory report.

Real examples: no RCD protection on socket circuits, undersized fuse protecting a high-demand circuit, inadequate earth bonding to gas or water pipework, bathroom light fitting without correct IP65 fire rating.

C3 Improvement recommended — no legal obligation to fix

The installation is safe but does not meet current best practice. A C3 alone does not make the report Unsatisfactory — your property can still receive a Satisfactory result with C3 codes present.

Real examples: older wiring compliant when installed but not meeting today's standards, a single-pole switch in a bathroom, no RCD on a lighting circuit in a pre-2008 installation.

FI Further investigation required

Something has been found that cannot be fully assessed during the standard inspection. The report remains Unsatisfactory until the investigation is completed.

Real examples: suspected concealed cable damage behind a plastered wall, an unidentified circuit with no accessible termination point.

Who needs an EICR and how often?

Private landlords in England — legally required every 5 years

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, all private landlords must ensure every fixed electrical installation is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person. The landlord must supply a copy of the EICR to each tenant within 28 days and to the local housing authority within 7 days of a request. Remedial work must be completed within 28 days. Proven breaches can result in a financial penalty of up to £30,000.

HMO landlords — stricter enforcement applies

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) have been subject to mandatory EICR requirements for longer than standard lets, and face more frequent inspections depending on the licence conditions set by the local authority.

Homeowners — recommended every 10 years

Homeowners are not legally required to have an EICR, but it is strongly recommended every 10 years, when buying a property, after major renovation work, or if the property is more than 25 years old with no inspection history. Many home insurers now request evidence of a recent EICR.

Commercial properties — every 5 years

Commercial property owners must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require electrical systems to be maintained in a safe condition. The recommended inspection interval for most commercial premises is every 5 years. Higher-risk environments such as industrial, medical, or hospitality venues may require more frequent testing.

EICR pricing — transparent and competitive

At Energy North, we believe you should know exactly what you are paying before we set foot in your property. No hidden fees, no surprise charges, no inflated quotes after the job is done.

All prices include the full inspection, testing, and your EICR certificate delivered by email. Every inspection covers wiring, sockets, switches, earthing, bonding, and your consumer unit up to 10-way. You receive a detailed, professionally produced report with every observation clearly coded and explained in plain English.

Why £100 is genuinely good value in London

The average EICR price in London ranges from £150 to £300 for a standard flat, with some national providers charging even more. At £100 for properties up to 3 bedrooms with a consumer unit up to 10-way, Energy North offers one of the most competitive rates across North, East and West London — without cutting corners on quality, certification, or inspection time.

A valid EICR protects you from fines of up to £30,000, keeps your tenants safe, and satisfies your legal obligations as a landlord. At £100, it is one of the most cost-effective compliance steps any London landlord can take.

How it works — from first contact to certificate

Areas we cover — EICR across London

Energy North provides EICR certificates across North, East and West London. Whether you are a landlord managing a rental flat in Islington or a homeowner in a period property in Barnet, our City&Guilds certified electricians are local to you and available within 48 hours.

Not sure if we cover your postcode? Send us a message on WhatsApp or through the website and we will confirm straight away.

Why choose Energy North for your EICR in London?

Frequently asked questions about EICR in London