How Often Do You Need an EICR? A Guide for Scottish Homeowners & Landlords

An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a formal inspection and test of a property’s fixed electrical installation. It tells you whether the wiring, accessories and protective devices are still safe to use, and whether any remedial work is needed.

It’s one of the most useful checks you can have on a property, but the timing depends on the type of building and how it is used.

What an EICR covers

An EICR looks at the fixed installation, including:

• The wiring and circuits
• The consumer unit and protective devices
• Sockets, switches and accessories
• Earthing and bonding arrangements

It is not the same as PAT testing, which covers portable appliances rather than fixed wiring.

How often you need one

The simple version is:

• Owner-occupied homes: generally every 10 years
• Rented homes in Scotland: at least every 5 years
• Commercial premises: usually every 5 years, sometimes sooner
• Higher-risk sites: more frequently, depending on use and conditions

If you do not know when the last inspection was done, the safest assumption is that it is overdue.

For landlords in Scotland

Landlords have a clear legal duty to make sure the electrical installation in a rented property is inspected at least every five years by a competent person.

That matters because an out-of-date or missing report can create problems with compliance, tenancy management and insurance.

If you manage a rented property, it is worth keeping your inspection dates in a simple schedule so nothing slips.

For homeowners

An EICR is not usually a legal requirement for an owner-occupied home, but it is still a smart idea if:

• The property is older and has not had a recent inspection
• You have just bought the property and do not have paperwork
• You are seeing warning signs such as tripping breakers, scorch marks, burning smells or buzzing accessories
• You want peace of mind before a sale, renovation or tenancy change

What the codes mean

EICR observations are normally coded like this:

• C1 — danger present, immediate action required
• C2 — potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action required
• C3 — improvement recommended, but not a fail
• FI — further investigation required

A report is only satisfactory if there are no C1, C2 or FI items.

If something is found, you should get a plain-English explanation of the issue and a realistic plan to put it right.

Booking an EICR

If you are in Livingston, West Lothian, Edinburgh or the wider Central Scotland area, I carry out EICRs for homeowners, landlords and businesses with clear reporting and practical recommendations.

Book an EICR or request a quote. If you are not sure whether you need an inspection yet, you can still get in touch first.