Yes — since 1 April 2021, all private landlords in England are legally required to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for every rental property before a new tenancy begins, and at least every five years thereafter. This requirement is set out in the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, and failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 per breach.
If you own or manage a rental property in Manchester, understanding your EICR obligations is essential. In this guide, we explain exactly what an EICR is, when you need one, what happens if your property fails, and how much it costs. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or you manage a large portfolio, this article covers everything you need to know about EICR compliance for rental properties.
What Is an EICR?
An EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a detailed inspection and test of the fixed electrical wiring in a property, carried out by a qualified and competent electrician. During the inspection, the engineer systematically checks the condition of the entire electrical installation, including the consumer unit, all circuits, earthing and bonding arrangements, socket outlets, light fittings, and all fixed wiring throughout the property.
The purpose of an EICR is to identify any electrical defects, deterioration, or non-compliance with the current edition of BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations). After completing the inspection, the engineer issues a formal report that classifies the condition of the installation using standardised observation codes. If everything meets the required standard, the result is “Satisfactory.” If the engineer finds faults, the report details exactly what needs to be repaired or upgraded.
Unlike a simple visual check, an EICR involves live testing and dead testing of every circuit. As a result, it provides a thorough and accurate picture of the safety of your property’s electrical system. You can read more about our EICR process on our EICR Manchester service page.
Is an EICR Legally Required for Landlords?
Yes, an EICR is a legal requirement for all private landlords in England. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 make it mandatory for landlords to ensure their rental properties have a satisfactory electrical installation. These regulations apply to all private rented properties in England, regardless of the type or size of the tenancy.
Specifically, the law requires landlords to:
- Have an EICR carried out before a new tenancy begins. You must ensure the electrical installation has been inspected and tested by a qualified person before your tenants move in.
- Renew the EICR at least every five years. The certificate must be kept up to date throughout the tenancy. If the report recommends an earlier re-inspection date, you must follow that recommendation instead.
- Provide a copy of the report to tenants within 28 days. After the inspection, you must supply a copy of the EICR to your existing tenants within 28 days, and to any new tenant before they move in.
- Provide the report to the local authority within 7 days if requested. If your local council asks to see the EICR, you must supply it promptly.
- Complete all remedial work within 28 days. If the report identifies any C1 or C2 faults, you must have them repaired within 28 days (or sooner for C1 codes that present an immediate danger).
These regulations also apply to HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), which already required regular electrical inspections under the Housing Act 2004. In addition, from November 2025, the regulations have been extended to cover social housing tenancies for the first time.
What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?
The consequences of failing to comply with the EICR regulations are serious. Local authorities have strong enforcement powers, and penalties have been increasing as councils take a firmer approach to landlord compliance.
- Financial penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. Local authorities can issue civil penalty notices for each property where a landlord fails to comply. Because the fine applies per breach, a landlord with multiple non-compliant properties could face penalties running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- Local authority-arranged inspections at the landlord’s expense. If a landlord fails to arrange an EICR, the local council can commission one themselves and charge the cost back to the landlord.
- Remedial notices with a 28-day deadline. When an EICR identifies C1 or C2 defects, the landlord must arrange remedial work within 28 days. If the landlord fails to act, the local authority can issue a remedial notice requiring compliance and can arrange the work itself if the landlord does not respond.
- Potential criminal prosecution. In serious cases, particularly where a landlord repeatedly ignores compliance obligations or where tenants are placed at significant risk, local authorities can pursue criminal prosecution under housing safety legislation.
In Greater Manchester, councils have been actively enforcing these regulations. Several landlords across the region have already received significant fines for non-compliance, so it is important to take your EICR obligations seriously.
What Does an EICR Check?
During an EICR, the qualified engineer carries out a comprehensive inspection and test of the entire fixed electrical installation. Here is what the inspection covers:
- Consumer unit (fuse board) condition: The engineer checks whether the consumer unit is in good condition, correctly labelled, and fitted with appropriate protective devices including RCDs and MCBs. An outdated rewirable fuse board or a damaged consumer unit is one of the most common reasons a property fails an EICR.
- Fixed wiring throughout the property: All cables running through walls, ceilings, and floors are tested for insulation resistance, continuity, and condition. Deteriorating or damaged wiring can create serious fire and shock risks.
- Earthing and bonding: The engineer verifies that the property has adequate earthing and that all required bonding conductors are in place. Proper earthing is essential for the safe operation of RCDs and for protecting occupants from electric shock.
- Socket outlets and switches: Every socket, switch, and accessory is inspected for damage, overheating, and correct wiring. Cracked faceplates, loose connections, and signs of arcing are all recorded.
- Light fittings and ceiling roses: All light fittings are checked, including whether fire-rated downlights are installed where required. Non-fire-rated downlights are a frequent cause of EICR failures in rental properties.
- Smoke alarm and heat detector circuits: The engineer checks that mains-wired smoke alarms and heat detectors are present where required by building regulations and that they are correctly connected to the electrical installation.
- RCD protection: The regulations require RCD (Residual Current Device) protection on socket circuits and other vulnerable circuits. The engineer tests all RCDs for correct operation and trip times.
What Do the EICR Codes Mean?
After the inspection, the engineer classifies any observations using standardised codes. Understanding these codes helps you know the severity of any issues and how quickly you need to act.
- C1 — Danger present: An immediate risk to safety exists. This is the most serious classification and requires urgent action. Examples include exposed live conductors, a complete absence of earthing, or a consumer unit with serious damage. A C1 code means the fault should be addressed immediately, ideally before the engineer leaves site.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: A fault that could become dangerous under certain conditions. C2 codes require urgent remedial action, and landlords must complete repairs within 28 days. Common C2 issues include missing RCD protection, inadequate bonding, or a damaged consumer unit that still functions but presents a risk.
- C3 — Improvement recommended: The installation does not fully meet current standards but is not immediately dangerous. C3 observations do not cause the EICR to fail, but addressing them improves the overall safety of the installation. A typical C3 example is recommending an upgrade from an older fuse board to a modern consumer unit with RCBOs.
- FI — Further investigation required: The engineer has identified something that needs closer examination before a definitive classification can be given. This might involve lifting floorboards, opening concealed junction boxes, or testing a specific circuit in more detail.
If the report contains any C1 or C2 codes, the overall EICR result is “Unsatisfactory.” This means remedial work is legally required before the property can be considered compliant. C3 codes alone do not trigger a fail, but they should still be considered as part of your ongoing maintenance plan.
What Happens If My Rental Property Fails?
If your rental property receives an unsatisfactory EICR result, you must act quickly. Here is what the law requires and how the process works in practice.
First, the landlord must complete all necessary remedial work within 28 days of receiving the report. For C1 (danger present) codes, the timescale is much shorter — ideally the fault should be resolved on the same day or as soon as possible. Leaving a C1 defect unresolved puts your tenants at immediate risk and exposes you to the most serious enforcement action.
Second, after the remedial work is complete, you must provide evidence to your local authority within 28 days of the original report. This evidence should include written confirmation from a qualified electrician that the necessary work has been carried out and that the installation is now satisfactory.
Third, if you fail to arrange remedials within the required timeframe, the local authority can issue a remedial notice, arrange the work themselves, and charge you for it — on top of any financial penalty for non-compliance.
At Manchester Compliance, we streamline this process for landlords. Because our engineers are NICEIC-approved and carry the necessary parts and equipment, we can often carry out the EICR inspection and complete any remedial work in the same visit. This means you avoid the delay of waiting for a second appointment and get your property back to compliant status as quickly as possible. You can learn more about our approach to EICR quality and engineer training on our blog.
How Often Do I Need an EICR?
The frequency of EICR inspections depends on the type of property and its use:
- Private rented properties: Every 5 years, as required by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Additionally, you must have a valid EICR in place before the start of any new tenancy.
- HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation): Every 5 years, as required under both the 2020 regulations and the HMO licensing conditions set by your local authority.
- Social housing: Every 5 years, following the extension of the regulations to the social rented sector from November 2025.
- Owner-occupied properties: Not legally required, but the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) recommends an EICR every 10 years for domestic properties, or when you buy a new home.
- Commercial properties: The recommended interval depends on the type of premises. For more information, see our guide on commercial electrical compliance.
It is also worth noting that if the previous EICR report recommends a shorter re-inspection interval (for example, 3 years instead of 5), the landlord must follow that recommendation. Always check the “next inspection due” date on your current certificate.
EICR Pricing for Landlords in Manchester
Manchester Compliance offers transparent, fixed-price EICR testing for landlords across Greater Manchester. Here is our current pricing structure:
- 1-2 bedroom property: from £120 + VAT
- 3 bedroom property: from £150 + VAT
- 4+ bedroom or HMO property: from £180 + VAT
These prices include the full inspection, testing of all circuits, and issue of the EICR certificate. There are no hidden fees, call-out charges, or surprise extras.
If your property requires remedial work, we quote that separately and can often complete it during the same visit. Common remedials include consumer unit replacements (from £500 + VAT), RCD upgrades, earthing improvements, and replacing non-compliant fittings. Because our engineers carry the necessary equipment and parts, completing the EICR and remedials in one visit saves you time and avoids the cost of a second appointment.
For landlords managing multiple properties, we offer competitive rates for block bookings. Contact us to discuss your portfolio and we will put together a tailored pricing package.
Book an EICR for Your Rental Property
Booking an EICR with Manchester Compliance is straightforward. You can contact us by phone or email, and we will arrange an appointment at a time that works for you and your tenants.
Here is what to expect when you book:
- Get in touch: Call 0161 706 1360 or email info@manchestercompliance.co.uk with your property details, including the address, number of bedrooms, and any access arrangements needed.
- Receive a fixed quote: We confirm the price upfront based on your property size. No hidden charges.
- Inspection day: Our NICEIC-approved engineer attends, tests all circuits, and issues the EICR report on the same day.
- Certificate delivered: You receive your EICR certificate digitally. If the property passes, you are fully compliant. If remedials are needed, we discuss options and can often complete them immediately.
Most residential EICRs take between 2 and 4 hours depending on the property size. We offer fast turnaround times and flexible scheduling, including arrangements where we liaise directly with tenants or letting agents to organise access.
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We serve landlords and property managers across Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Wigan, Warrington, and surrounding areas throughout Greater Manchester and the North West.
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Published March 2026 by Manchester Compliance Ltd — NICEIC Approved Contractor serving Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the North West.