07576 584901Testmasterinfo@gmail.com 24/7 online enquiries About Services Areas ReviewsOur WorkSocialContact07576 584901Request a Free Quote Home/Blog/EICR testingEICR testing # EICR requirements: electrical safety duties for properties in England By Test Master UK6 November 20263 min read Service illustration: eicr testingEICR requirements depend on the property, its use and the applicable law. A London rental, an owner-occupied home and a business premises should not be given one identical legal checklist. This guide focuses on England and the different responsibilities behind electrical inspection records, rather than presenting recommendations as universal UK law. ## Rented homes: confirm scope and duties For rented homes covered by England's electrical safety regulations, landlords must arrange inspection and testing by a qualified and competent person at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the report requires it. Check the current GOV.UK guidance, tenancy scope and exemptions before applying a rule to a particular property. The framework first applied to new private tenancies from July 2020 and existing private tenancies from April 2021. The social-sector extension applies to tenancies granted after 1 December 2025. For tenancies granted before that date, the regulations came into force on 1 May 2026, with transitional duties to inspect and test installations and check relevant equipment before 1 November 2026. Social-sector guidance also addresses landlord-provided electrical equipment, which is separate from the fixed-installation report. ## Supply reports and completion evidence For covered rentals, provide the inspection report to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before occupation. Supply it to a prospective tenant within 28 days of a request and to the local authority within seven days of a request. Keep evidence of delivery alongside the report. Where the report requires remedial work or further investigation, complete it within 28 days or the shorter period stated. Obtain written confirmation and follow the rules for supplying the original report and confirmation to tenants and the authority. Immediate danger requires immediate safety action, not waiting for the outer deadline. ## Business premises have maintenance duties The Electricity at Work Regulations require relevant electrical systems to be constructed and maintained to prevent danger, so far as reasonably practicable. An EICR can support that maintenance system, but there is not one universal statutory EICR interval for every commercial property. Consider use, environment, previous findings, the inspector's recommended date and actual lease or insurance conditions. Contractual requirements do not remove statutory responsibilities. Shared buildings require cooperation between those controlling different parts of the installation. ## Owner-occupied homes and other jurisdictions The rented-home rules do not create a blanket five-year legal requirement for owner-occupiers. Selling a home in England does not generally require an EICR simply because a sale occurs, although a buyer, lender or agreement may request evidence. Electrical installation work and building-control requirements are different matters. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own frameworks. For London properties, request residential EICR testing or commercial EICR testing with the property use and previous report. Check HMO licence conditions separately rather than assuming this general guide covers every licence requirement. - Identify the jurisdiction and property use. - Check the relevant regulations and exemptions. - Record report delivery and action deadlines. - Keep completion evidence with the original report. ## Sources and further reading - GOV.UK: Electrical safety standards in rented homes - HSE: Electrical safety at work - GOV.UK: Houses in multiple occupationGeneral guidance for premises in England, checked on 6 November 2026. Requirements depend on your property, systems and applicable conditions. Follow competent advice, current official guidance and your local authority's requirements. ## In this guide - Rented homes: confirm scope and duties - Supply reports and completion evidence - Business premises have maintenance duties - Owner-occupied homes and other jurisdictions ## Need testing for your premises? Greenford-based electrical and fire safety services across London. Get a free quote 07576 584901 ## Related guides All guides EICR testing · 2 min read ## How often do landlords need EICR testing in England? Understand the five-year maximum for relevant rented-home electrical inspections in England, earlier report dates and how to manage remedial evidence. 15 October 2026 EICR testing · 2 min read ## EICR for commercial property: landlord, occupier and maintenance responsibilities Clarify commercial electrical maintenance responsibilities, shared installations, lease conditions and report ownership before arranging EICR testing. 6 November 2026 Electrical and fire safety compliance testing for businesses, property managers and landlords across London and Greenford. 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