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.
📋 An EICR must be carried out at least every 5 years, or at every change of tenancy — whichever is sooner. C1 and C2 defects must be remediated within 28 days.
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.
EICRs for social housing and rental portfolios in Kent & South East London
We work with landlords, letting agents and housing providers across Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Bexleyheath, Sidcup and South East London. Fast turnaround, compliant reports, remedial work where required.
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