EICR Certificates for Landlords in Liverpool: Your Legal Obligations Explained

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced after a qualified electrician inspects and tests the electrical installation of a property. It assesses the safety of the wiring, consumer unit, circuits, earthing and bonding against the current BS 7671 wiring regulations.

Since April 2021, it has been a legal requirement for all landlords in England to have a valid EICR for every rented property. The report must be carried out by a competent person — a NAPIT or NICEIC registered electrician — and must be renewed at least every 5 years, or sooner if recommended.

Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 and invalidation of your landlord insurance. Local authorities can also issue improvement notices and prohibition orders for non-compliant properties. In short, an up-to-date EICR is not optional — it is essential.

A thorough EICR inspection examines every aspect of the property's fixed electrical installation. This includes the consumer unit or fuse board, all circuit breakers and RCDs, the condition of cables and connections, socket outlets and light fittings, earthing and bonding arrangements, and any signs of damage, overheating or wear.

The electrician carries out both visual inspections and electrical tests, including continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance, polarity checks, RCD functionality tests, and earth electrode resistance where applicable. These tests require specialist equipment and must be performed by a qualified professional.

At Conaty&Co., our NAPIT registered electricians carry out EICRs across Liverpool, Wirral and Merseyside. We provide a clear, easy-to-read report with photographs, test results and a summary of any issues found. Reports are typically delivered within 48 hours of inspection.

Every EICR concludes with one of two overall outcomes: Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. A Satisfactory result means the installation is safe to use and no remedial work is required. An Unsatisfactory result means there are one or more issues that must be addressed.

Observations are coded C1, C2 or C3. A C1 code indicates danger present and immediate remedial action is required — the electrician may make safe on the spot. A C2 code means the installation is potentially dangerous and urgent remedial work is needed. A C3 code is a recommendation for improvement but not immediately dangerous.

If your EICR is Unsatisfactory, you must arrange remedial work within 28 days (or sooner for C1 codes). Once the work is completed, the electrician issues a certificate confirming the installation is now safe. You must provide a copy of both the original EICR and the remedial certificate to your tenants and local authority within 28 days.

EICR costs in Liverpool typically range from £150 to £350 depending on the size of the property, the number of circuits, and accessibility. A 1-bedroom flat is at the lower end, while a 5-bedroom house with multiple consumer units is at the higher end.

Some electricians offer cheap EICRs at £99, but these are often cursory inspections without thorough testing. A proper EICR takes 2-4 hours for a standard property and includes every test required by BS 7671. Saving £50 on a report that misses a dangerous fault is a false economy.

At Conaty&Co., our EICR prices are competitive and transparent. We do not cut corners, and every inspection is carried out by a qualified, NAPIT registered electrician. If remedial work is needed, we provide a clear, itemised quote with no obligation.