← Back to News Landlords & Agents

EICR Now a Legal Requirement for Social Housing Landlords

New regulations have extended mandatory five-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) to social housing providers in England — closing a long-standing gap in the law that previously only applied to private sector landlords.

What's changed?

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025 came into force in two stages:

• 1 December 2025 — new social housing tenancies must comply from day one
• 1 May 2026 — all existing social housing tenancies brought into scope
• 1 November 2026 — deadline by which all electrical checks must be completed

Private landlords have operated under equivalent rules since 2020. This change brings registered providers of social housing — councils, housing associations and other registered providers — under the same regime.

Who does this affect?

Any registered provider of social housing in England with residential tenancies. This includes local councils, housing associations, almshouses and other registered providers. Commercial landlords and private landlords were already subject to these requirements.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

From 1 November 2025, the maximum civil penalty for breaching the Electrical Safety Standards regulations increased from £30,000 to £40,000. Local councils can impose these penalties on landlords found to be in breach.

What does an EICR actually involve?

An EICR is a detailed inspection of a property's fixed electrical installation — consumer unit (fuse board), wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and earthing. Findings are graded:

• C1 — Danger present. Requires immediate action.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous. Must be remedied within 28 days.
• C3 — Improvement recommended (does not fail the report).
• FI — Further investigation required.

Upcoming change for 2026: new electrician qualifications required

From 1 October 2026, new requirements come into force for electricians who carry out EICRs. They will need to hold the City & Guilds 2391-52 Electrical Inspection & Testing qualification (or equivalent), have at least two years of documented practical experience, and maintain ongoing CPD records.

← Back to News EV Charging

Planning Permission for Home EV Chargers Scrapped in England

The Department for Transport confirmed on 29 May 2025 that most residential EV charger installations in England are now classed as permitted development — meaning no planning application is required for the majority of homeowners.

What changed?

Changes to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 now mean that installing an EV chargepoint on or within the curtilage of a dwelling house is permitted development, subject to certain size and placement conditions. This removes what was previously a barrier for many homeowners — especially those on visible driveways or with limited parking.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes. Planning permission may still be required for:

• Properties in conservation areas, AONBs or National Parks
• Listed buildings
• Certain height and placement restrictions (consult your installer)
• Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — where different planning rules apply

Smart charger requirement — still in force

Regardless of planning, all new home EV chargers installed in England must include smart functionality under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. Smart chargers must be capable of remotely adjusting charging based on grid demand and must log energy consumption data.

Does the installation still need a qualified electrician?

Yes — removing the planning requirement does not remove the electrical safety requirement. EV charger installation is notifiable work under Building Regulations Part P and must be carried out by a Part P-registered electrician who can self-certify, or notified to building control. The distribution network operator (DNO) must also be notified of every new charger.

What about the OZEV grant?

The EV Chargepoint Grant remains available in 2026 for flat-dwelling homeowners and renters (up to £350 toward installation costs). The previous EVHS homeowner grant for houses closed in 2022 and has not been reinstated.

← Back to News Safety Regulations

Consumer Unit Upgrades: What the 2024–25 Wiring Regulation Changes Mean for Homeowners

Amendment 3 to BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) brought significant changes to the requirements for consumer unit (fuse board) replacements and new circuits — including stronger rules on surge protection and RCD coverage that apply to all installations carried out in England, Scotland and Wales.

What is BS 7671 Amendment 3?

BS 7671 is the national standard for electrical wiring in the UK. Amendment 3, which became effective during 2024–25, updated several key requirements — particularly around consumer unit replacements, the addition of new circuits, and protection devices. All electrical work carried out by a registered electrician must comply with the current edition of BS 7671.

Key change 1: Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) now more widely required

SPDs protect connected equipment from voltage spikes caused by lightning or switching events on the network. Under the updated regulations, SPDs are now required in a greater number of scenarios — particularly where the loss of equipment would cause serious consequences (medical equipment, fire alarm systems, sensitive electronics). A formal risk assessment is required to document any decision to omit an SPD.

Key change 2: RCD protection requirements tightened

RCDs (Residual Current Devices) protect against electric shock and fire caused by earth faults. The regulations now require additional protection by 30mA RCDs on a wider range of final circuits — particularly socket outlets, lighting circuits and outdoor supplies. A consumer unit replacement in 2025 or 2026 must meet these requirements for any circuits that are being added or altered.

When do I need to replace my consumer unit?

You're not legally required to replace a consumer unit simply because it predates the latest regulations — provided it passes an EICR. However, replacement is typically required when:

• An EICR records C1 or C2 observations on the board itself
• You are adding new circuits (e.g. EV charger, extension, garden room)
• There is visible damage, signs of overheating or insulation deterioration
• The board contains rewirable fuses rather than MCBs

Does replacing a consumer unit require Building Regulations notification?

Yes. Consumer unit replacement is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. It must be carried out by a Part P-registered electrician (who self-certifies), or pre-notified to your local building control office. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate on completion.

What does a consumer unit upgrade typically cost in 2026?

Industry figures for 2025 put the average cost at around £1,000, with a range of approximately £600–£1,800 depending on property size, number of circuits and whether any remedial work is required on existing wiring.

← Back to News Smart Homes

Smart Homes Are Growing Fast — and Qualified Electricians Are in Short Supply

The UK smart home market was valued at over £5.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach £7.8 billion by 2028 — growing at roughly 15% per year. At the same time, government labour market data classifies skilled electrical trades as being in "critical demand" through 2026 and beyond.

What's driving smart home growth in 2026?

Three converging forces are accelerating smart home adoption across the UK:

• EV charger mandates — millions of UK homes now need EV infrastructure
• Energy costs — smart thermostats, time-of-use tariffs and battery storage are being adopted to reduce bills
• Matter protocol adoption — the arrival of the universal smart home standard means most 2026 devices work across different ecosystems without complexity

What is the Matter protocol?

Matter is a connectivity standard supported by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung that allows smart home devices from different manufacturers to work together. By 2026, most new smart home devices — lighting, thermostats, locks, sensors — are Matter-certified by default, making it easier for homeowners to set up and expand their systems without being locked into a single brand.

AI-driven automation: what homes can do in 2026

Modern smart home installations go well beyond smart plugs and voice assistants. According to TechHousing's 2026 home technology report, AI systems now analyse usage patterns to optimise heating and cooling, integrate with solar panels or off-peak EV charging tariffs, and adjust lighting in real time to support sleep quality (so-called circadian lighting). These systems require proper electrical infrastructure — dedicated circuits, correctly specified cabling, and professional commissioning.

Why are electricians in short supply?

Government labour market analysis for 2025 classifies "skilled metal, electrical and electronic trades supervisors" as being in critical demand. The training pipeline has not kept pace with demand generated by:

• The EV charger rollout
• EICR compliance work for both private and social housing
• New-build electrical fitout
• Smart home retrofits
• Solar, battery storage and heat pump electrical work

According to Logic4Training, smart home installation is also becoming one of the highest-paying specialisms available to qualified electricians — commanding a premium over standard domestic work.

What smart home work can an electrician help with?

A qualified electrician can help with the electrical infrastructure behind any smart home upgrade — from dedicated circuits for smart panels and home batteries to commissioning EV chargers, installing smart lighting and ensuring everything is safely certified. The "smart" elements (apps, voice control, automation logic) sit on top of reliable electrical work.