If you’re a landlord in Exeter or anywhere in the UK, you’ve probably already heard about EICRs and electrical compliance. But with regulations tightening and tenant awareness growing, there’s no room for guesswork when it comes to electrics in your rental property.

This guide gives you the essentials — no jargon, no fluff — just what you need to stay safe, legal, and hassle-free.

What Is an EICR — and Do You Need One?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection of your property’s electrical system — wiring, fuse board, sockets, lights, everything. It checks whether the installation is:

• Safe for continued use

• Up to standard with current UK regulations (BS 7671)

• Likely to cause problems or fires down the line

🧾 Since April 2021, it’s a legal requirement for landlords in England to have a valid EICR every 5 years for privately rented properties.

What’s Actually Checked During an EICR?

An NICEIC-registered electrician (like us at EPM) will:

• Test circuits for faults or insulation breakdown

• Inspect the consumer unit (fuse box)

• Check sockets, switches, light fittings

• Look for signs of wear, overheating or amateur DIY work

• Identify bonding and earthing issues

You’ll receive a report that highlights:

• C1: Danger present — needs immediate action

• C2: Potentially dangerous — urgent attention required

• C3: Improvement recommended

• FI: Further investigation needed

C1 or C2 means you’ll need to make repairs before your certificate is considered valid.

What Happens If You Don’t Have One?

No EICR? That’s a problem.

• You could face fines of up to £30,000

• You may struggle to evict tenants under Section 21

• Your landlord insurance could be invalidated

• In the worst case: electrical faults cause damage or injury — and you’re liable

Additional Tips for Landlords

• Keep a copy of your EICR for your records — and give one to your tenants within 28 days

• Make sure repairs or remedial work is carried out by a qualified electrician

• If your tenant reports an issue (e.g. buzzing sockets or flickering lights), respond promptly

• Consider having a visual check every couple of years between formal EICRs

Why EPM?

At EPM, we carry out electrical safety checks for landlords across Exeter and the surrounding area — from one-bed flats to HMOs and student lets.
You’ll get:

• A clear, jargon-free report

• Honest advice (we won’t sell you what you don’t need)

• Fast remedial estimates, if work is required

We’re Napit registered, fully insured, and used to working with letting agents, landlords and housing providers.