NEW BUILD GUIDE

EICR for New Build Properties: EIC vs EICR Explained

New build properties come with an Electrical Installation Certificate — not an EICR. This guide explains the difference between the two documents, when the first EICR is needed, how to snag electrical defects in new builds, and what landlords renting out new builds must do to comply with the 2020 Regulations.

Start 7-day free trial

Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians

12 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

ShareXinW
Follow

1,000+

UK electricians

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical

Key Takeaways

  • 1New build properties receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), not an EICR. The EIC is issued by the installing contractor and confirms the installation was built in accordance with BS 7671.
  • 2An EICR is a periodic inspection of an existing installation. For new builds, the first EICR is typically due at first change of tenancy if the property is let, or after 10 years for owner-occupied properties.
  • 3An EIC does not substitute for an EICR under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. If you let a new build that already has a tenancy in place from the developer, you need an EICR within five years.
  • 4Snagging electrical defects in new builds is important — installation errors, missing bonding, incorrectly sized circuit breakers, and improperly labelled circuits are all found in new build properties.
  • 5The NHBC Buildmark warranty and similar new build warranties do not cover electrical safety in the same way as a periodic EICR. They are separate documents serving separate purposes.
01 · New Build Guide

New Builds Come With an EIC, Not an EICR

When a new build property is completed, the electrical installation is certified by the installing contractor using an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). This is a mandatory document under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and Part P of the Building Regulations. The EIC confirms that the installation was designed, built, and tested in accordance with the applicable standards at the time of completion.

An EIC is not the same as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The EIC is issued at the point of completion and belongs to the property. The EICR is a periodic inspection document issued by a different electrician assessing the installation's ongoing condition. Confusing the two is extremely common — and understanding the distinction is important for landlords, buyers, and solicitors dealing with new build transactions.

  • EIC purpose — certifies that the installation as built meets BS 7671. Issued by the contractor who built the installation. Contains the Schedule of Inspections and Schedule of Test Results completed at installation. Signed by the designer, constructor, and inspector (who may be the same person).
  • EICR purpose — periodically assesses the ongoing condition of the installation. Carried out by an independent qualified person. Classifies observations as C1, C2, C3, or FI. Results in an overall assessment of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
  • Landlord compliance — for the purposes of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, only an EICR satisfies the legal requirement. An EIC alone is not sufficient for ongoing compliance.
Free download

Get the BS 7671 A4:2026 Cheat Sheet — free

Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.

  • Every regulation change summarised
  • New model forms (EIC + MEIWC)
  • Free PDF — no subscription

We'll email it once. No spam — unsubscribe any time.

02 · New Build Guide

EIC vs EICR: The Key Differences Explained

The distinction between an EIC and an EICR matters practically in several scenarios: when a new build property is being let for the first time; when a property is being sold and the buyer's solicitor requests electrical safety documentation; and when a landlord is trying to determine whether they are compliant with the 2020 Regulations.

  • Who produces it — an EIC is produced by the contractor who installed the wiring. An EICR is produced by an independent inspector who inspects and tests an existing installation. For objectivity, the same person who installed the wiring should not carry out the periodic inspection — although this is not always practical in small projects.
  • What it tests — the EIC tests the installation at completion: insulation resistance, continuity, polarity, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times are all measured. An EICR repeats these tests on a sampling basis to check that the installation has not deteriorated and remains compliant with the edition of BS 7671 current at the time of inspection.
  • Observation coding — the EIC does not use C1/C2/C3/FI observation codes. These codes are specific to the EICR. The EIC records departures from BS 7671 (if any) separately. An EICR will note any departures from the current edition of BS 7671 even if the installation was correctly built to an earlier edition — this is why older installations frequently have C3 observations for items that were compliant when installed.
  • Frequency — an EIC is issued once, at completion. An EICR is issued periodically — typically every 5 years for rental properties, every 10 years for owner-occupied homes (or at change of occupancy).
03 · New Build Guide

When Is the First EICR Required for a New Build?

The timing of the first EICR for a new build property depends on how the property is used after completion. The answer is different for rental properties and owner-occupied homes.

  • Rental property — at first change of tenancy — under the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020, an EICR must be obtained before a new tenancy begins and at least every five years. If you purchase a new build from a developer and let it for the first time, you should obtain an EICR before the first tenant moves in, or at the very latest within five years. If the property had an existing tenancy from the developer, the five-year clock is already running.
  • Owner-occupied — approximately 10 years — there is no legal requirement for owner-occupiers to obtain an EICR at a specific interval. The recommended interval under BS 7671 and IET guidance is every 10 years or at change of occupancy. For a new build, the first EICR is therefore recommended at around the 10-year mark.
  • On sale of the property — although there is no legal requirement to produce an EICR when selling, buyers increasingly request one as part of their due diligence. If you have an EIC from when the property was built but no EICR, consider commissioning one before marketing the property, particularly if the installation is more than five years old.

In practice, many landlords of new build properties obtain an EICR at the outset so that they have a document in the correct format to provide to tenants and, if requested, to the local authority. The cost of an EICR on a modern, correctly installed property is relatively low and the peace of mind is worthwhile.

04 · New Build Guide

Snagging Electrical Issues in New Build Properties

New builds are not immune to electrical installation errors. Developers typically use multiple subcontractors working under time pressure, and the quality of workmanship varies considerably between sites and contractors. Having a qualified electrician carry out an independent snagging inspection — ideally within the first two years while the NHBC or similar warranty is in place — can identify issues the developer must rectify at no cost to you.

  • Circuit breaker and cable mismatch — the overcurrent protective device (circuit breaker) must be correctly matched to the cross-sectional area and current-carrying capacity of the cable it protects. Mismatched combinations are found on new build sites where materials are mixed between phases of construction.
  • Unlabelled or incorrectly labelled circuits — consumer units in new builds sometimes have circuit labels that do not match the actual circuits connected, or are simply blank. Correct labelling is a requirement of BS 7671 (Regulation 514.9.1).
  • Missing or incorrect bonding — supplementary bonding in bathrooms and main protective bonding to services is sometimes omitted or undersized. This is a common snagging item that is straightforward for the developer to rectify during the defects liability period.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detector issues — mains-wired interlinked smoke detectors are required in new builds under Building Regulations Approved Document B. Snaggers commonly find detectors that are not correctly interlinked, not connected to the mains supply, or positioned incorrectly.
  • EV charging point and solar PV wiring — where developers have installed EV charging points or solar PV as standard, the associated wiring and protective devices should be checked by a qualified electrician as part of the snagging process. Errors in these systems can be costly and potentially dangerous.

A snagging inspection is best carried out by a qualified electrician who is independent of the developer. Use Elec-Mate's EICR and certificate tools to document snagging findings clearly in a format that can be presented to the developer.

Try Elec-Mate free for 7 days

16 certificate types, 70+ calculators, RAMS, quoting, invoicing, AI agents, and 46+ training courses — from £6.99/mo.

Start free trial
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
05 · New Build Guide

Letting a New Build: What Landlords Need to Know

Landlords who purchase new build properties to let face a common question: does the EIC from the developer satisfy the EICR requirement under the 2020 Regulations? The answer is no. The 2020 Regulations specifically require an EICR — a periodic inspection document — not an installation certificate.

  • Commission an EICR before the first tenancy — to be fully compliant, commission an EICR from a qualified inspector before your first tenant moves in. For a brand new property, a qualified electrician should be able to complete the inspection and produce an EICR relatively quickly as the installation is new and should be in good condition.
  • Provide the EICR to the tenant — new tenants must receive a copy of the EICR before they move in. Existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the inspection. The EIC from the developer is not an acceptable substitute.
  • Retain the original EIC — keep the EIC from the developer as it contains the original test results. When the EICR inspector carries out the periodic inspection, they can compare current test results with the original EIC to identify any deterioration. This comparison is valuable for detecting progressive insulation degradation or earthing problems.
06 · New Build Guide

Owner-Occupied New Builds: When to Get Your First EICR

Owner-occupiers of new build properties are not covered by the 2020 Regulations (which apply to the private rented sector). There is therefore no legal deadline for the first EICR. However, the recommended interval from BS 7671 and the IET is every 10 years for a domestic owner-occupied property.

In practice, the first EICR on a new build is often prompted by one of the following:

  • Selling the property — buyers' solicitors and surveyors increasingly request an EICR as part of due diligence, particularly for properties over five years old. Having one ready can speed up the conveyancing process.
  • Changing the property's use — converting an owner-occupied new build to a rental property triggers the 2020 Regulations. An EICR is required before the first tenant moves in.
  • Major electrical additions — adding solar PV, an EV charging point, or a home extension creates new circuits that should be tested. Whilst the new circuits will have their own EIC, it is often prudent to have a full EICR at this point to ensure the main installation remains in good condition.
  • After 10 years — as a matter of good practice, aim for the first EICR around the 10-year mark even without any specific trigger.
07 · New Build Guide

For Electricians: New Build Snagging and EICR Work

New build snagging and first-EICR work for buy-to-let investors is a growing market. Portfolio landlords who purchase new build properties from developers need reliable electricians who understand the difference between an EIC and an EICR, and who can produce compliant documentation efficiently.

Produce EICR and EIC Documentation on Site

Use the Elec-Mate EICR app to complete both EICR and EIC documentation on your phone. For snagging inspections, the app lets you photograph defects, record observations with C-code classification, and export a professional PDF report the developer and landlord can act on immediately.

Produce EICR and EIC reports on site with Elec-Mate

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for on-site certificate completion. EICR, EIC…

Try it free for 7 days
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Frequently Asked Questions: EICR for New Builds

What electricians say

Verified reviews from the UK App Store.

One App for Everything!

Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.

Apple App Store · GBR

Fantastic app for electricians

I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.

Apple App Store · GBR

Absolutely amazing

I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.

Apple App Store · GBR

Trusted by electricians across the UK

Real feedback from real sparks

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer

Sole Trader · DP Electrical

“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”

Nathan Perry

Electrician · NP Electrical Services

“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”

Jake Pizey

3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice

7-Day Free Trial — Cancel Anytime, No Hassle

Complete EICRs and EICs on Your Phone

Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for on-site certificate production. EICR, EIC, and snagging reports — all on your phone with AI assistance and instant PDF export. 7-day free trial.

“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”

Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical

From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week

or download the app
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
7 days free, then from £6.99/moCancel in one tap — no calls, no hassleiOS, Android & WebBS 7671 compliant
16
Certificate Types
70+
Calculators
46+
Training Courses
8
AI Agents

1,000+ electricians · From £6.99/mo after trial

App Store

We use cookies to improve the app and measure what works. Cookie Policy