How often is an EICR needed?

For landlords — every five years, or at each new tenancy

Private landlords in England are legally required to have a valid EICR in place at all times. An EICR must be carried out at least every five years, and a new EICR must be obtained before a new tenancy begins if the existing one will expire during the tenancy.

For full details on the landlord requirement, see our landlord EICR page.

For homeowners — every ten years as a general guide

There is no legal requirement for owner-occupiers to have an EICR at any particular interval. The generally recommended guideline is every ten years, though this is a recommendation rather than a rule. The age and history of the installation matters more than a fixed interval.

When an EICR is advisable regardless of timing

• Buying a property — particularly important for older properties
• Selling a property — can reassure buyers and avoid delays during conveyancing
• After flood or fire damage — always inspect before restoring the supply
• After major electrical work — confirms what was done and whether it was done correctly
• Moving into an older property — establishes a baseline if you have no information about the installation
• When problems appear — tripping circuits, burning smells, or flickering lights

Does a new consumer unit reset the EICR clock?

Not exactly. A consumer unit replacement generates an Electrical Installation Certificate for the new board — it does not constitute a full EICR of the rest of the installation. Both documents cover different scopes.

What if the previous EICR was unsatisfactory?

If remedial work has been carried out following an unsatisfactory EICR, a new inspection should be done to confirm the faults have been resolved. The five-year clock for landlords runs from the date of the satisfactory certificate, not the original inspection.