EICR reminders for landlords in England
Published · Updated
How often is an EICR due in England?
It depends on the date written on the latest report. As of October 2026, regulation 3 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312) requires every electrical installation in the premises to be inspected and tested by a qualified person at regular intervals. "At regular intervals" means at intervals of no more than 5 years, or no later than any earlier date the most recent report requires.
The same regulation requires the installation to be inspected and tested before the tenancy commences, and a copy of the report to be supplied to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection. Where the report requires further investigative or remedial work, that work is due within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. The EICR guide covers the report codes, the copy you give a new tenant, and a change to the further-investigation wording with a commencement date of 30 November 2026. The 5-year interval on this page is the rule in regulation 3 as of October 2026.
This instrument applies in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own electrical duties. The landlord certificates guide links each nation's page.
The date to put in the reminder
Save the next inspection date printed on the report. Where that date is sooner than 5 years from the last inspection, the earlier date is the one that counts. Five years is the longest gap the regulation allows, and it is long enough to lose the PDF.
How Gaffy reminds you
Upload the EICR on the property and enter that next inspection date as the expiry. Gaffy emails you, and writes an in-app reminder, 90 days, 30 days and 7 days before that date, and once the date has passed. On the document you can pause reminders for 30 days. Certificate expiry reminders can be switched off in settings.
You arrange the electrician. Gaffy keeps the report on the property and sends the reminder. A quote for remedial work is a separate file. Keep it with the report so the follow-up is in the same place as the inspection date.
As of October 2026, Gaffy is free for the first month, with no card needed to start, then £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each additional property.
Related reading
- EICR for landlords
- Landlord certificate tracker
- EICR certificate cost
- Landlord certificates
- Gas safety certificate reminders
- EPC reminders
- Deposit protection reminders
Sources
Read on legislation.gov.uk. This page is general information, not legal advice.
EICR reminder FAQs
How often do landlords in England need an EICR?
At intervals of no more than 5 years, under regulation 3 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. If the latest report requires the next inspection by an earlier date, the inspection is due no later than that date.
What if my EICR is satisfactory but names a date inside 5 years?
Use the date on the report. The regulation sets 5 years as the longest interval, and a shorter date on the latest report brings the next inspection forward.
When does Gaffy email me about an EICR?
When the EICR is saved on the property with an expiry date, Gaffy emails you and writes an in-app reminder 90 days, 30 days and 7 days before that date, and once the date has passed. You can pause reminders for 30 days on the document.
Does the 5-year EICR rule apply outside England?
The regulation cited on this page applies in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own electrical duties. The landlord certificates guide links the official page for each nation.