EICR explained: what Greater Manchester landlords actually need

If you let property in England, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) isn't optional. Since 2020, private landlords must have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years, and provide a copy to tenants. Here's the plain-English version.

What an EICR actually checks

An EICR is a formal inspection of the fixed wiring — consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and accessories. It's not about your appliances; it's about the installation itself. A qualified electrician tests it and records the condition against current standards.

What the codes mean

Your report will list any issues with a code:

• C1 — Danger present. Risk of injury. Needs fixing immediately.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous. Remedial work required.
• C3 — Improvement recommended. Not a fail, but worth doing.
• FI — Further investigation required.

An installation is only "satisfactory" if there are no C1, C2 or FI items. C1 and C2 mean remedial work before you can issue a satisfactory report.

How to handle remedials without the stress

This is where landlords lose time — getting the report from one electrician, then chasing another to do the fixes. We do both: send us the EICR and we'll quote the remedial items, carry out the work, and certificate it, so you've got the paperwork for your records and your tenants.

See our electrical services or, if you manage several properties, our planned maintenance which schedules certificates before they lapse.

Quick checklist

1. Find your last EICR date — is it within five years?
2. New tenancy starting? You need a valid report to hand over.
3. Got C1/C2 items outstanding? Get them sorted and re-certified.
4. Multiple properties? Put renewal dates in one calendar.

Need an EICR or remedial work sorted across Greater Manchester? Request a quote and we'll take it from there.