Everything you need to know about EICRs in Leicester — costs by property type, landlord legal requirements, Leicester City Council enforcement, observation codes, and how to find a qualified inspector.
Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians
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.
1,000+
UK electricians
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation. It assesses the condition of the wiring, consumer unit, protective devices, earthing and bonding, sockets, switches, and all fixed electrical equipment.
The EICR is documented in accordance with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Section 631), which requires that an Electrical Installation Condition Report is used for periodic inspection and testing of existing installations — not an Electrical Installation Certificate, which is for new work only.
The inspector carries out a detailed visual inspection followed by a programme of testing (insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD operation times, continuity of protective conductors). The results are recorded on Schedules of Circuit Details and Test Results, which form part of the report. Each observation is classified using a code system (C1, C2, C3, FI) that indicates the severity and urgency of any defects found.
The overall condition of the installation is assessed as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. An Unsatisfactory result means the installation has one or more C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) observations that require remedial work.
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.
Leicester EICR costs are broadly in line with Midlands averages. The city has a competitive market for electrical inspection work, driven by the large private rented sector around the University of Leicester and De Montfort University. Below are typical 2026 prices:
These prices are for the inspection and report only. Remedial work identified during the EICR is quoted and charged separately. Some electricians offer a combined EICR and remedial package at a reduced total cost.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 introduced mandatory electrical safety checks for private rented properties in England. The key legal requirements are:
The regulations apply to all private rented properties in England, including Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Social housing providers have separate obligations under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Owner-occupied properties are not covered by these regulations but periodic inspection is recommended as best practice under Regulation 134.2 of BS 7671.
Leicester City Council is responsible for enforcing the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations in the private rented sector across the city. Leicester has one of the largest private rented sectors in the East Midlands, driven by its two universities and a growing population:
Landlords in Leicester should ensure they have a valid EICR for every rented property. The council's enforcement activity has increased since the 2020 Regulations came into force, and penalties for non-compliance are significant.
Every observation recorded on an EICR is classified using one of four codes. Understanding these codes is essential for landlords, tenants and electricians. The codes are defined in BS 7671 and the associated model forms:
Risk of injury exists. Immediate remedial action is required. The inspector may recommend disconnecting the dangerous circuit or installation on the spot. Examples include exposed live conductors, missing consumer unit covers, and severely damaged wiring.
Could become dangerous. Urgent remedial action is required. Common C2 findings include absent or inadequate earthing, lack of RCD protection on socket circuits, overloaded circuits, and deteriorated cable insulation.
Not immediately dangerous but improvement would enhance safety. C3 observations do not make the EICR Unsatisfactory. Common examples include lack of supplementary bonding in bathrooms (where not required by current regulations) and older but functional accessories.
The inspector could not fully assess a part of the installation and further investigation is needed. This is common where wiring is concealed in plaster, under floorboards, or behind fixed kitchen units that cannot be moved during the inspection.
An EICR is assessed as Unsatisfactory if it contains any C1 or C2 observations. C3 and FI observations alone do not make the report Unsatisfactory, but FI items should be investigated to confirm the installation is safe.
Landlords with properties in Leicester must comply with both the national electrical safety regulations and any additional conditions imposed by Leicester City Council through licensing schemes. Key obligations include:
Landlords who fail to comply with these obligations face civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. Leicester City Council also has the power to carry out remedial work itself and recover the costs from the landlord.
AI board scanner, voice test entry, and automatic BS 7671 validation — finish the certificate before you leave the property. From £6.99/mo.
Try the certificate tools free
The EICR process involves both a visual inspection and a programme of testing. The inspector needs access to all parts of the property including every room, the consumer unit, the meter cupboard, loft space (if accessible), and any outbuildings. The power will need to be switched off for parts of the testing — typically 30 to 60 minutes for a standard property.
Tenants and landlords in Leicester should prepare by ensuring clear access to the consumer unit and meter, removing items stored in front of electrical equipment, and making all rooms accessible.
The required frequency of EICRs depends on the property type and use. BS 7671 Section 631 establishes the framework for periodic inspection and testing of existing installations:
The inspector may recommend a shorter interval than the standard maximum if the installation is in poor condition. For example, a Leicester terraced house with multiple C3 observations may have a recommended next inspection of 3 years rather than the standard 5 years.
For landlord compliance, the EICR must be carried out by a person who is qualified and competent. The regulations specify that the inspector should be a member of a competent person scheme or a person who the landlord can demonstrate is qualified and competent.
Be cautious of extremely low-priced EICR offers in Leicester. An EICR for a two-bedroom property priced below £120 may indicate a rushed inspection, inadequate testing, or an unqualified inspector. A thorough EICR takes time and requires expensive calibrated test instruments.
Leicester offers strong demand for EICR work, driven by its large student population, a growing private rented sector, and active council enforcement. The city's mix of Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, and modern developments provides varied inspection work.
To maximise efficiency and professionalism, electricians carrying out EICRs in Leicester should:
Use the Elec-Mate EICR app to complete the report on your phone while you are still on site. AI board scanning reads the consumer unit schedule, voice entry records test results hands-free, and instant PDF export sends the report to the landlord before you leave. No more evening paperwork.
When the EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations, quote the remedial work immediately using the quoting app. Landlords are legally obligated to act within 28 days — the electrician who delivers the quote on the day of the EICR is most likely to win the remedial work.
Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for on-site EICR completion, AI board scanning, and instant PDF export.
Try it free for 7 daysVerified reviews from the UK App Store.
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.
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.
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.
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
Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for on-site EICR completion with AI board scanning, voice test entry, and instant PDF export. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.
“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
We use cookies to improve the app and measure what works. Cookie Policy