LANDLORD GUIDE

Landlord Electrical Safety Liverpool: EICR Requirements 2026

Everything Liverpool landlords need to know about electrical safety compliance — the 2020 Regulations, council enforcement and selective licensing, HMO requirements, penalties of up to £30,000, tenant rights, and remedial work timescales.

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13 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.

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Key Takeaways

  • 1The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require all private landlords in Liverpool to obtain an EICR before a new tenancy begins and at least every five years thereafter.
  • 2Liverpool City Council enforces these regulations with civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. Liverpool has a substantial private rented sector and a proactive enforcement approach, particularly through selective and HMO licensing schemes.
  • 3HMOs in Liverpool face additional requirements — a valid EICR is a mandatory condition of both mandatory and additional HMO licensing operated by Liverpool City Council.
  • 4If the EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations (classified under BS 7671 Section 631), landlords must complete remedial work within 28 days or sooner if specified by the inspector.
  • 5Liverpool has a large stock of pre-war terraced housing in areas such as Toxteth, Kensington, and Wavertree — many with ageing electrical installations that frequently generate C2 observations including absence of RCD protection.
01 · Landlord Guide

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 are the primary legislation governing landlord electrical safety in Liverpool. These regulations came into force on 1 June 2020 for new tenancies and 1 April 2021 for all existing tenancies. Every private landlord in Liverpool must comply.

  • Mandatory EICR — landlords must obtain an Electrical Installation Condition Report before a new tenancy begins and at least every five years. The EICR is documented in accordance with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Section 631 covers periodic inspection and testing).
  • Tenant notification — a copy of the EICR must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection. New tenants must receive a copy before they move in. Prospective tenants can request a copy within 28 days.
  • Local authority supply — the landlord must supply a copy of the EICR to Liverpool City Council within seven days if requested.
  • Qualified person — the EICR must be carried out by a qualified and competent person, in practice meaning registration with NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent.
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02 · Landlord Guide

Liverpool City Council Enforcement

Liverpool City Council is the local housing authority responsible for enforcing the 2020 Regulations. Liverpool has one of England's largest private rented sectors proportionally and operates an active enforcement regime.

  • Selective licensing — Liverpool City Council operates selective licensing schemes covering significant parts of the city including areas of Toxteth, Kensington, Anfield, and Wavertree. In these areas, landlords must hold a property licence and EICR compliance is a standard licence condition.
  • Enforcement team — Liverpool City Council's private rented sector team investigates complaints and takes enforcement action including issuing improvement notices, remedial notices, and civil penalties. The team works proactively in areas with high concentrations of private rented property.
  • Remedial action power — if a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice, the council can arrange for the work to be carried out and recover costs from the landlord. This power is used alongside civil penalties.
  • Section 21 restrictions — landlords cannot serve a valid Section 21 (no-fault eviction) notice without providing the tenant with a copy of the current EICR. Non-compliance can prevent landlords from regaining possession of their properties.
03 · Landlord Guide

HMO Requirements in Liverpool

Liverpool has a significant HMO sector driven by students at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, and Liverpool Hope University. Liverpool City Council operates both mandatory and additional HMO licensing.

  • Mandatory HMO licensing — applies to properties with five or more occupants forming two or more households. A valid EICR is a mandatory licence condition. The EICR must cover all fixed electrical installations including communal areas and fire safety systems.
  • Additional licensing — Liverpool City Council operates additional HMO licensing covering smaller HMOs. EICR compliance is a condition of these licences. Check the council's website for the current additional licensing area.
  • Inspection frequency — Liverpool HMO licence conditions may require more frequent EICRs than the standard five years. Check your specific licence conditions.
  • Unlicensed HMO consequences — operating an unlicensed HMO in Liverpool is a criminal offence and can result in prosecution, an unlimited fine, and civil penalties under the 2020 Regulations.
04 · Landlord Guide

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Liverpool

Liverpool City Council can impose civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach under the 2020 Regulations.

  • Up to £30,000 per breach — failing to obtain an EICR, failing to provide it to the tenant, failing to supply it to the council on request, and failing to complete remedial work are each separate breaches.
  • Section 21 restrictions — landlords cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice without providing the tenant with a copy of the current EICR.
  • Selective licence implications — non-compliance with EICR requirements can result in licence revocation, making it unlawful to continue letting the property in a selective licensing area.
  • Rent repayment orders — where a landlord commits certain housing offences (such as operating an unlicensed HMO), tenants can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for a rent repayment order of up to 12 months' rent.
05 · Landlord Guide

Tenant Rights Under the Regulations

Liverpool tenants have specific rights under the 2020 Regulations.

  • Right to a copy of the EICR — existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days. New tenants must receive a copy before moving in.
  • Right to report non-compliance — tenants can report to Liverpool City Council's environmental health or private rented sector team if the landlord has not obtained an EICR or completed required remedial work.
  • Right to safe electrics — if the EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations, the landlord must arrange remedial work promptly. The council can arrange the work and recover costs from the landlord if the landlord fails to act.
  • Protection from retaliatory eviction — landlords cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice without the EICR. The Deregulation Act 2015 also protects tenants who raise legitimate complaints about property conditions.

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06 · Landlord Guide

Remedial Work Timescales

When an EICR identifies C1 or C2 observations (classified under BS 7671 Section 631), Liverpool landlords must complete remedial work within the timescales set by the 2020 Regulations.

  • 28 days maximum — all remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the EICR, unless the inspector specifies a shorter timescale. The 28-day clock starts from the date of the inspection.
  • C1 observations — immediate action — C1 (danger present) observations require immediate action. The inspector may recommend disconnecting the affected circuit. Landlords should not wait the full 28 days.
  • Written confirmation required — once remedial work is complete, a qualified person must confirm the work in writing. This must be provided to the tenant and to the council within 28 days of the work being completed.
  • Common Liverpool remedial work — typical remedial work in Liverpool includes fitting RCD protection (Regulation 411.3.3), replacing plastic consumer units with metal enclosures, upgrading earthing and bonding, and replacing deteriorated cables in pre-war terraced housing.
07 · Landlord Guide

Finding Qualified Inspectors in Liverpool

Liverpool has a large pool of qualified electricians for landlord EICR work. Verify qualifications and scheme registration before commissioning an inspection.

  • NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA registration — search the scheme's online register for Liverpool-based inspectors. Scheme membership assures qualifications, insurance, and regular assessment.
  • Required qualifications — City and Guilds 2391 (Inspection and Testing), a current BS 7671 qualification (C&G 2382 18th Edition), and experience with Liverpool's pre-war terraced housing stock.
  • Professional indemnity insurance — verify that the inspector carries appropriate professional indemnity insurance.
  • Avoid unusually cheap quotes — a thorough EICR for a Liverpool two-bedroom house requires 2 to 4 hours and calibrated test equipment. Prices substantially below £120 for a one-bedroom property may indicate inadequate testing.
08 · Landlord Guide

EICR Costs in Liverpool (2026 Prices)

Liverpool EICR costs are competitive compared to southern English cities, reflecting the city's lower labour rates.

  • One-bedroom flat — £120 to £200. Typically 3 to 5 circuits.
  • Two-bedroom flat or small terraced house — £170 to £300. Usually 5 to 8 circuits.
  • Three-bedroom house — £240 to £420. Pre-war terraces may take longer due to aged wiring and complex layouts.
  • HMO — £350 to £700+. Multiple consumer units, fire alarm systems, and emergency lighting increase the inspection scope.

These prices cover inspection and report only. Some Liverpool electricians offer combined EICR and remedial packages for landlords with multiple properties.

09 · Landlord Guide

For Electricians: Landlord EICR Work in Liverpool

Liverpool's large private rented sector — with a high concentration of HMOs near the universities and selective licensing across inner-city neighbourhoods — creates consistent demand for landlord EICRs. Electricians who establish relationships with Liverpool letting agents and property managers can build a strong pipeline of recurring work.

Complete EICRs On Site

Use the Elec-Mate EICR app to complete the report on your phone while still on site. AI board scanning, voice test entry, and instant PDF export mean no evening paperwork.

Win the Remedial Work

When C1 or C2 observations are found, quote the remedial work immediately using the quoting app. Liverpool landlords must act within 28 days — quote on the day to win the work.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Landlord Electrical Safety in Liverpool

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