If you own a rental property in Liverpool, an EICR is not optional. It is a legal requirement. But what exactly is it, how often do you need one, and what happens if your property fails? This guide covers everything Liverpool landlords and homeowners need to know.
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection of a property's fixed electrical installation carried out by a qualified electrician. It assesses the condition of wiring, consumer units, sockets, switches, earthing and bonding, and identifies any issues that could present a safety risk.
The inspection is carried out against the requirements of BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations. At the end of the inspection you receive a report graded with any issues found, a recommendation for when the next inspection should take place, and either a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome.
Is an EICR a Legal Requirement in Liverpool?
Yes, for rental properties. Since 1 June 2020, all private landlords in England must have a valid EICR for each rental property before new tenants move in. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 make this a legal requirement.
Local councils can impose a fine of up to £30,000 for non-compliance. Liverpool City Council actively enforces this requirement, particularly for HMO properties which are subject to additional licensing conditions.
An EICR must be carried out every 5 years or at every change of tenancy, whichever comes first. You must provide a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to new tenants before they move in.
How Often Do You Need an EICR?
The frequency depends on your property type and ownership status.
What Does an EICR Inspection Involve?
A qualified electrician will inspect and test the fixed electrical installation throughout the property. This typically includes:
- Visual inspection of all accessible wiring, fittings and accessories
- Testing of the main consumer unit and circuit breakers
- Earth continuity testing on all circuits
- Insulation resistance testing
- Polarity checks
- RCD testing where fitted
- Assessment of earthing and main bonding
For a standard 2 to 3 bedroom Liverpool property, the inspection typically takes 2 to 4 hours. Larger properties and those with older wiring take longer. The inspection is non-invasive — no walls need to be opened.
Understanding Your EICR Report — What Do the Codes Mean?
Every observation in an EICR report is given a code that indicates its severity.
An immediate safety risk that requires urgent attention. The electrician may recommend that the supply is isolated until the fault is rectified. This is rare but serious.
A fault that could become dangerous and requires urgent remedial work. The property will receive an unsatisfactory result and the landlord must arrange for the work to be completed within 28 days.
Not immediately dangerous but an improvement is recommended. The property can still receive a satisfactory result with C3 observations present.
Something could not be fully assessed and needs further investigation before a decision on its safety can be made.
What Happens if Your EICR Fails?
If your property receives an unsatisfactory result due to C1 or C2 observations, you are legally required to arrange remedial works within 28 days of receiving the report. Once the work is completed, you must obtain written confirmation from the electrician who carried out the remedial work and supply this to your tenants.
The most common reasons Liverpool properties fail an EICR include outdated consumer units without RCD protection, deteriorated wiring in older properties, inadequate earthing and bonding, and lack of smoke detection on certain circuits.
At Ideal Electrical Solutions we carry out all remedial works identified in your EICR report. You do not need to find a separate electrician for the repairs. We can often carry out minor remedial works on the same visit as the inspection.
How Much Does an EICR Cost in Liverpool?
Our EICR certificates start from £99 for a standard 1 to 2 bedroom Liverpool property. Larger properties with more circuits cost more. We always give you a fixed price before we attend so there are no surprises on the day.
Any remedial works are quoted separately and you have the choice to proceed or not. We never pressure you into additional work.
How Quickly Can You Get an EICR in Liverpool?
We offer same-day and next-day appointments across all Liverpool postcodes and surrounding Merseyside areas. Your digital certificate is emailed to you within 24 hours of the inspection.
From £99. Same-day available. Certificate emailed within 24 hours.