As a landlord, you’re legally responsible for ensuring your rental properties are electrically safe.
How Often Should a Landlord Carry Out an Electrical Safety Check?
One of the most common questions we hear at Duravault is: “How often should a landlord carry out an electrical safety check?”
As a landlord, you’re legally responsible for ensuring your rental properties are electrically safe. One of the most common questions we hear at Duravault is: “How often should a landlord carry out an electrical safety check?”
The rules have changed in recent years, and failing to stay compliant can result in hefty fines or even make your property un-rentable. In this blog, we’ll explain the regulations, how often you need an inspection, and why keeping your electrics safe protects both your tenants and your investment.
What Is an Electrical Safety Check?
An electrical safety check is formally known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
It involves a qualified electrician testing and inspecting:
- Fuse boxes and consumer units
- Sockets, switches, and light fittings
- Fixed wiring throughout the property
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
👉 Learn more about our EICR services.
The Legal Requirements for Landlords
Since July 2020, it has been a legal requirement for all landlords in England to:
- Have an EICR carried out every 5 years, or sooner if recommended in the report.
- Provide a copy of the report to new tenants before they move in.
- Provide the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
- Provide the report to the local authority within 7 days if requested.
👉 If your property needs rewiring or upgrades after an inspection, see our Rewire Services page.
How Often Should Safety Checks Be Carried Out?
By law:
- Every 5 years is the maximum interval between inspections.
- However, if your electrician highlights potential issues, they may recommend a shorter timeframe (e.g., every 3 years).
For HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation), stricter rules may apply, so it’s worth speaking to an expert.
What Happens During a Landlord EICR?
The inspection usually takes 3-8 hours, depending on property size. Our electricians will:
- Test circuits for wear and tear.
- Check fuse box safety and RCD protection.
- Identify any overloaded circuits or unsafe wiring.
- Issue a coded report:
- C1 (Danger Present) – immediate action required.
- C2 (Potentially Dangerous) – urgent improvement needed.
- C3 (Improvement Recommended) – not unsafe, but should be addressed.
👉 If your fuse box fails inspection, consider a Fuse Board Upgrade.
Why Electrical Safety Checks Protect Landlords
Carrying out regular safety checks is more than just ticking a legal box. Benefits include:
✅ Reduced fire risk
✅ Fewer emergency callouts from tenants
✅ Protection against legal liability
✅ Increased property value and appeal to tenants
👉 Explore our full Electrical Services for Landlords.
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to make sure your property is electrically safe — and that means carrying out EICRs at least every 5 years. Staying compliant not only protects your tenants but also safeguards your investment.
👉 Ready to book your landlord EICR? Contact today for a fast, reliable, and fully certified inspection.
