EICR inspections in London

Book the inspection for the right purpose

A landlord preparing for a tenancy, a homeowner investigating an older installation and a business reviewing its premises may all request an EICR, but their instructions are not identical. Explain the occupancy, the areas included and whether there are separate supplies, outbuildings or communal installations. An address alone is not enough to define a large or divided property.

If another person has requested the report, obtain their requirement before booking. A buyer, insurer or managing agent may need a particular area included or a specific deadline met. Share that request with us rather than assuming any document called an electrical certificate will satisfy it.

What the inspection covers

The EICR concerns the fixed installation, including wiring, circuits, the consumer unit and connected electrical accessories. It is not the same as a portable appliance check, a new-installation certificate or a gas safety record. Any equipment testing requested alongside it should be listed separately.

The inspector needs to establish the extent of the installation and agree any limitations. A locked room, inaccessible board or occupied area that cannot be disconnected may restrict the work. Tell us about these constraints beforehand. Unrecorded assumptions about inaccessible areas are a poor basis for deciding whether the inspection meets the purpose for which it was commissioned.

Current rules for rented homes in England

GOV.UK’s current guidance covers both private and social rented housing following the 2025 extension. Qualifying installations require inspection at least every five years, or sooner where the report requires it. For social tenancies granted before 1 December 2025, transitional first checks of installations and landlord-provided equipment must be completed before 1 November 2026. Social landlords also have equipment-checking duties.

Existing tenants generally receive the installation report within 28 days; new tenants receive it before occupation. Required remedial or investigative work must be completed within 28 days, or the shorter period stated in the report. Read the linked guidance for tenancy scope, exceptions, equipment requirements and the subsequent evidence landlords must provide.

Preparing the property for testing

Plan for electricity to be interrupted during testing. Discuss occupants’ needs, alarms, access systems, refrigeration, working-from-home arrangements and equipment that cannot simply be disconnected. Where a person relies on powered medical equipment, agree a safe arrangement before attendance rather than discovering the restriction when testing is due to begin.

Make the consumer unit and ordinary test points accessible without asking occupants to expose wiring or remove electrical covers. Supply previous EICRs, installation certificates and details of alterations where available. For a managed building, confirm who holds keys and whether an escort or communal-supply permission is required.

Do not open a consumer unit, expose live wiring or repeatedly reset a circuit that is tripping. Report an immediate electrical hazard separately from a routine inspection request.

Understanding the result and the next decision

An EICR records findings; a satisfactory outcome cannot be promised before the inspection. C1 means immediate danger, C2 identifies potential danger, FI requires further investigation and C3 recommends improvement. C1, C2 or FI findings mean an unsatisfactory outcome; C3 alone does not. Investigative findings need resolving rather than being ignored.

Ask for any proposed remedial work to refer to the report’s actual observations. This makes it easier to understand what addresses a recorded problem and what is an optional improvement. If substantial work is suggested, request a clear scope and clarification of how completion will be documented. An inspection appointment does not automatically authorise an unrestricted programme of repairs.

EICRs for workplaces and mixed-use buildings

A shop below a flat can contain installations serving different occupiers and purposes. Identify the boundaries before booking, including shared areas and equipment supplied from another part of the premises. A report for one flat should not be treated as a report for the entire building.

Commercial inspection arrangements must suit the workplace and installation; residential tenancy rules do not impose one universal interval on every business. Tell us the use, operating hours and any requirements from your responsible person or insurer. We can discuss the scope before arranging attendance, including whether specialist systems need separate attention.

Request an EICR appointment

Send the postcode, property type, approximate size, number of consumer units if known and the required completion date. Mention any previous report if you want advice about an existing finding; the team can arrange how to share it. Include the tenant or site contact and who may approve follow-up work.

Loyal Plumbers has 10 active vans and a 24/7 service across London and inside the M25. Routine inspection appointments and remedial work are scheduled according to their scope and access. We will clarify what the booking includes rather than quote an unseen multi-board installation as if it were a small flat.