Bristol Electrical Safety
An EICR checks whether the fixed electrical installations in your property are safe. Mandatory for all private rental properties in England since July 2020. From £120 across all Bristol postcodes.
Book Your EICR — from £120 →An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is an inspection of the fixed wiring and electrical installations in a building. For Bristol landlords it is a legal requirement — if you let a property without a valid EICR, you are in breach of the law and face fines of up to £30,000. For homeowners, it is the standard way to check that your electrics are safe and up to scratch. Our qualified electricians carry out EICRs across all Bristol postcodes BS1–BS16, and we aim to deliver your certificate on the same day as the inspection.
An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is a formal assessment of the fixed electrical installations in a building. It covers everything that is wired in permanently: the consumer unit (fuse box), mains wiring, sockets, switches, and light fittings. It does not cover portable appliances like kettles, lamps, or extension leads — those are assessed by a separate PAT test.
The answer depends on who you are and what you're doing with the property.
If you let a property in England, an EICR is a legal requirement under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. There is no opt-out and no exemption for older properties.
An EICR is not a legal requirement for owner-occupied properties. However, it is the standard way to confirm your home's electrics are safe — and many circumstances make it a sensible investment.
Commercial premises must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require that electrical installations are maintained in a safe condition. A periodic inspection and testing programme (effectively a commercial EICR) is the standard way to demonstrate compliance.
We cover all Bristol postcodes BS1–BS16. Qualified inspections, same-day certificates, from £120. Request a quote and we'll get back to you promptly.
Get a Quote →An EICR is a visual inspection combined with a series of electrical tests. Here is what to expect on the day.
The electrician needs access to the consumer unit (fuse box) and all rooms in the property. For tenanted properties, arrange access with tenants in advance. Power will need to be switched off to individual circuits during testing, so plan for 2–4 hours of disruption.
The electrician visually inspects every accessible part of the fixed installation — checking for damaged wiring, missing covers, incorrectly wired sockets, signs of overheating, and non-compliant work. Any visible defect is recorded.
Each circuit is tested using specialist equipment to measure continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD operation. This confirms the installation behaves as it should under fault conditions.
The electrician compiles the results into a standardised EICR report. Each observation is assigned a code (see below) and the installation is given an overall verdict of Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. We aim to issue the certificate the same day as the inspection.
Each observation in an EICR is assigned a classification code. Here is what they mean.
There is a risk of injury. The installation is unsafe and requires immediate action. The electrician may disconnect the affected circuit on the spot. Do not use the installation until it is repaired.
Not an immediate danger but could become one. Remedial work is urgently required. For rental properties, this must be fixed within 28 days. An unsatisfactory result is issued if a C2 is present.
Not a safety issue and does not make the result unsatisfactory. Advisory only — the installation is safe but could be brought up to current standards. No action required to pass.
Part of the installation could not be fully assessed and requires further investigation to determine its condition. The report will specify what needs investigating and why.
No C1 or C2 observations. The installation is safe to use. For landlords, this means you are compliant and can give a copy to your tenant. The certificate is valid for 5 years.
One or more C1 or C2 observations. Remedial work must be completed within 28 days (or as specified). Once complete, written confirmation is required. For landlords, the local authority must be notified.
If your property receives an unsatisfactory result, don't panic — most issues are fixable. C2 observations often involve relatively straightforward remedial work such as replacing damaged sockets, improving earthing, or updating circuit protection. We can advise on next steps once you have your report.
From £120
Covering all Bristol postcodes BS1–BS16. Price confirmed before booking — no surprises on the day.
The final price depends on three main factors:
For a full overview of our prices across all services, see our Bristol pricing guide.
Tell us your property type and postcode and we'll come back with a confirmed price and available dates.
Request a Quote →The EICR requirement for all private rental properties in England came into full effect on 1 April 2021. If you are currently letting a property without a valid EICR, you are in breach of the law right now. Fines can reach £30,000 per property per breach.
Your EICR is valid for 5 years. You must arrange a new inspection before it expires — don't wait until it lapses, as you cannot let the property between the expiry date and the new inspection. The electrician may also specify a shorter interval if the installation has issues that need re-checking sooner.
Under the Regulations, Bristol City Council (and any local authority) can request to see your EICR within 7 days. Failure to produce it is itself a breach. Keep a copy on file.
Most Bristol landlords also need an EPC, an annual gas safety certificate (CP12), and — for HMOs — a fire risk assessment. Getting them all sorted together saves time and keeps your renewal dates manageable. See the full Bristol landlord compliance checklist for everything you need, or contact us about getting multiple certificates sorted in one go.
From £120. The exact price depends on the property size and number of electrical circuits. A one-bedroom flat costs less than a four-bedroom house. We provide a confirmed quote before booking so you know the cost upfront. See our full pricing guide for an overview of all our services.
Typically 2 to 4 hours, depending on the property size and number of circuits. A small one-bedroom flat with 4 circuits might take 90 minutes. A larger house with 12 or more circuits will take longer. We'll give you an accurate time estimate when you request a quote.
Every 5 years for rental properties — or sooner if the electrician specifies a shorter interval or if a new tenancy starts before the current certificate expires. For owner-occupied homes, every 10 years is the recommended interval, or when you buy a property. The electrician's recommendation in the report always takes precedence.
An unsatisfactory result means the inspection found C1 or C2 observations. You must arrange for remedial work to be completed within 28 days (or sooner as specified in the report), then obtain written confirmation that the work is done. The confirmation must be provided to the tenant and to the local authority if requested. Don't panic — most C2 issues are straightforward to fix.
No. An EICR covers the fixed wiring and electrical installations built into the property. A PAT (Portable Appliance Test) covers portable appliances like kettles, lamps, toasters and extension leads provided by the landlord. Landlords are legally required to have an EICR. PAT testing is recommended for furnished lets but is not a statutory requirement. The two are different inspections carried out by different processes.
Not legally — an EICR is not a required document for a residential property sale in England. However, buyers and their mortgage lenders increasingly request one, particularly for older properties. Having a current satisfactory EICR on hand can prevent delays during conveyancing and give buyers confidence that there are no electrical issues to deal with after they move in.
Qualified electrical inspections from £120, covering all Bristol postcodes BS1–BS16. We'll confirm your price and a convenient appointment time before you commit to anything.
Also need an EPC or gas safety certificate? Ask us about combining services for the same property.
