Electrical testing is one of those things that is easy to overlook — everything seems to work, so it feels unnecessary. But wiring deteriorates over time, connections loosen, and faults can develop without any visible warning signs. Regular testing catches problems before they become dangerous.
The formal name for an electrical test is an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR. Here is how often you should have one carried out, and what to expect from the process.
Recommended Testing Frequencies
The recommended intervals depend on the type of property and how it is used:
Homeowners — every 10 years
For owner-occupied domestic properties, the guidance from the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) is to have an EICR carried out at least every 10 years. There is no legal obligation for homeowners, but it is strongly recommended — particularly if you have not had any electrical work inspected in a long time, or if you are not sure when the installation was last tested.
Landlords — every 5 years (legally required)
Since June 2020, landlords in England are legally required to have an EICR carried out on their rental properties at least every 5 years, or at each change of tenancy. This is enforced under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 and can affect your ability to serve Section 21 notices.
For a detailed breakdown of costs, see our guide to how much an EICR costs.
Commercial properties — every 5 years
For commercial and industrial premises, the recommended testing interval is every 5 years. Some environments with higher wear — such as construction sites, swimming pools, or agricultural buildings — may require more frequent inspection. Insurance providers and local authorities often require evidence of a valid EICR as a condition of cover or licence.
When to Test Outside the Normal Schedule
There are several situations where it makes sense to arrange an electrical test regardless of when the last one was carried out:
Buying a property
An EICR is not a legal requirement when purchasing a home, but it is strongly advisable. It gives you a clear picture of the condition of the electrical installation before you commit to the purchase, and it can highlight issues that would be expensive to resolve later — such as the need for a consumer unit replacement or partial rewire.
After flood or storm damage
If your property has been exposed to water ingress, particularly in areas where electrical wiring or accessories are present, it is essential to have the installation tested before restoring power. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and hidden moisture can cause faults that are not immediately apparent.
Older properties with unknown history
If you have moved into a property and have no record of when the electrics were last tested — or if the wiring looks dated — an EICR will establish a baseline and identify anything that needs attention. Properties with wiring from the 1960s or earlier are particularly worth checking.
Before major renovation work
If you are planning a kitchen or bathroom refit, an extension, or any significant building work, it is worth testing the existing installation first. This avoids unpleasant surprises during the project and ensures the existing wiring is sound enough to build upon.
What Does the Test Involve?
An EICR is a thorough inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It covers:
- The consumer unit — its condition, labelling, and the type and rating of protective devices
- Wiring condition — checking for deterioration, damage, and adequacy of cable types and sizes
- Earthing and bonding — ensuring the protective conductors are present, connected, and adequate
- Socket outlets, light fittings, and switches — checking for damage, correct polarity, and secure connections
- Insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD operation — measured with calibrated test instruments
The inspection typically takes between two and four hours for a standard domestic property, depending on its size and the number of circuits. Your power will need to be switched off for parts of the process, but we keep disruption to a minimum.
Understanding the Results
The EICR report uses a coding system to classify any issues found:
- C1 — Danger present — an immediate risk to safety. This requires urgent remedial action and may mean isolating part of the installation straight away
- C2 — Potentially dangerous — a fault that is not immediately dangerous but could become so. Remedial work should be carried out as soon as possible
- C3 — Improvement recommended — not a safety issue, but an area where the installation falls short of current standards. This is advisory and does not cause the report to fail
- FI — Further investigation required — the inspector has identified something that needs closer examination, which may involve additional fault finding work to diagnose fully
A report with no C1 or C2 codes is classed as satisfactory. If C1 or C2 codes are present, the report is unsatisfactory and remedial work is needed to bring the installation up to standard.
Do Not Leave It to Chance
Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of domestic fires in the UK, and many of them are preventable through routine inspection and maintenance. Whether you are a homeowner, landlord, or business owner, keeping to the recommended testing schedule is a straightforward way to protect your property and the people in it.
If you are unsure when your electrics were last tested, or if you know you are overdue, it is worth getting it done sooner rather than later.