What does an EICR do?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a structured inspection and test of an electrical installation. It looks at whether the installation appears safe for continued use, whether there are signs of damage, deterioration, poor workmanship, missing protection or other issues that need attention.
Who commonly needs one?
EICRs are commonly requested by landlords, homeowners, buyers, sellers and property managers. For rental properties, they are often part of keeping proper electrical safety records. For homeowners, they can be useful before renovations, before a consumer unit upgrade, or where there are signs of electrical problems.
What happens during the visit?
The electrician visually inspects the installation, tests circuits where accessible, records results and highlights any observations. Some items may need further investigation if they cannot be fully assessed during the visit.
What do the codes mean?
Reports commonly use codes such as C1, C2, C3 and FI. The exact coding depends on the condition found on site and the inspector’s engineering judgement. The important point is that the report should explain what has been found and what the practical next step is.
Safety note
An EICR is not just paperwork. It is a safety-led inspection and should be carried out by someone competent to inspect, test and interpret the results.