EICR certificate cost: what landlords pay for an electrical safety report
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An EICR certificate cost is typically £100 to £250, according to Checkatrade, with flats from around £100 and houses £250 or more [1][2]. Independent 2026 price surveys put a one-bed flat at roughly £120 to £170 and a three-bed house at £180 to £260 outside London, with London 25 to 35% higher and HMOs more [3]. Remedial work is extra. In England, landlords need a report at least every 5 years, must give tenants a copy within 28 days, and must complete any required remedial work within 28 days or sooner [4].
EICR certificate cost: typical prices
| Source | Range |
|---|---|
| Checkatrade cost guide | £100 to £250, average around £200 [1] |
| Checkatrade landlord guide | Flats from around £100; houses £250+ [2] |
EICR cost by property size
These ranges come from LandlordPlanner's September 2026 survey of published quotes for the Midlands, the North and the South West [3]:
| Property | EICR price |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed flat | £120 to £170 |
| 2-bed flat | £140 to £200 |
| 2-bed house | £150 to £220 |
| 3-bed house | £180 to £260 |
| 4-bed house | £220 to £320 |
| 5-bed house or small HMO | £280 to £400 |
| Large HMO, 7 or more people | £350 to £500 |
EICR cost London and regional differences
The same survey puts London at 25 to 35% above those prices and the South East and East of England at 10 to 15% above [3]. Checkatrade also notes regional variation [1].
All of these are guides. Electricians set their own prices, so get quotes.
What affects the cost of an EICR?
The biggest factor is the size and complexity of the installation, which roughly tracks the number of bedrooms [1][3]:
- Number of circuits and consumer units. More circuits take longer to test.
- Age of the wiring. Older installations can take longer to inspect.
- Access. Hard-to-reach boards or cluttered rooms slow things down.
- Location. London and the South East cost more [3].
- Who you book. A local sole trader often costs less than a national certificate company or an agent's contractor with a mark-up [3].
EICR remedial work: the cost that matters
The report itself is the predictable part. If the inspection finds C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) issues, or FI (further investigation needed), the installation is unsatisfactory, and you must fix it [4].
GOV.UK's guidance says that where a report requires remedial or further investigative work, landlords must do it within 28 days, or a shorter period if the report says so, and then give written confirmation to the tenant and the council within 28 days of completing it [4]. Checkatrade puts electrician rates at roughly £40 to £70 an hour, around £400 a day [1], which is what remedial work is usually priced from.
What landlords must do: the EICR rules
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, as set out in GOV.UK guidance, require landlords to [4]:
- have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every 5 years
- get a report showing the results and the date of the next inspection
- give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days
- give a copy to new tenants before they move in
- give a copy to prospective tenants within 28 days if they ask
- give a copy to the council within 7 days if it asks
- complete remedial work within 28 days or sooner if the report says
Councils can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for breaches [4]. Our main guide covers this in more depth: EICR for landlords.
How to keep EICR costs down
- Get two or three quotes and confirm what's included.
- Ask about minor fixes on the day. Some electricians include small jobs, like a loose socket, during the visit [3].
- Book before the old report expires, not after.
- Plan for the next interval. The electrician can set a shorter interval for older installations [3]; budget for it.
- Group properties if you have several in one area.
The cheapest EICR is the one you don't forget
Five years is long enough to forget. An EICR done when you bought the property can lapse without a single reminder, and that's when the £30,000 risk applies [4].
Gaffy lets you tag the EICR in each property's document vault with its expiry date, and flags it when it's coming up. See EICR reminders. If a tenant reports an electrical fault through their repair link, it lands in your inbox with photos and a timestamp, so you can show how fast you responded.
EICR codes explained
An EICR uses codes to classify what the electrician finds [4]:
- C1, danger present: risk of injury, immediate action needed
- C2, potentially dangerous: urgent remedial action needed
- FI, further investigation required without delay
- C3, improvement recommended: not a reason on its own for the report to be unsatisfactory
Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory, which triggers the 28-day remedial work duty [4].
EICR for HMOs and larger properties
HMOs usually have more circuits, sometimes more than one consumer unit, and more rooms to test, so they sit at the top of the price ranges [3]. If your HMO is licensed, GOV.UK says you must provide safety certificates for electrical appliances when the council asks [5], so keep the EICR and any appliance test records in the same place.
Who can carry out an EICR?
The regulations require a qualified and competent person [4]. GOV.UK's guidance suggests checking that the inspector is on a competent person scheme or otherwise has the right qualifications and experience [4]. Ask before you book, and keep a note of who did the work.
FAQs
How much does an EICR cost?
Typically £100 to £250, according to Checkatrade [1].
How much does an EICR cost for a 3 bed house?
Around £180 to £260 outside London, per a September 2026 survey; more in London [3].
How much does an EICR cost for a 1 bed flat?
Around £120 to £170 outside London, per the same survey [3]. Checkatrade says flats start from around £100 [2].
How often does a landlord need an EICR?
At least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says [4].
What happens if an EICR fails?
You must complete remedial work within 28 days or sooner, then confirm it in writing to the tenant and council [4].
What's the fine for not having an EICR?
Up to £30,000 [4].
How does Gaffy help?
Gaffy flags EICR, gas safety and EPC expiry dates and gives tenants a repair link with no app. It's £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each extra property, and the first month is free.
Sources
- Checkatrade, Electrical safety check costs: Price breakdown 2026: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/electrical-safety-check-cost/
- Checkatrade, Landlord electrical safety certificate 2026: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/expert-advice/landlord-electrical-safety-certificate/
- LandlordPlanner, EICR cost 2026: https://www.landlordplanner.co.uk/guides/eicr-cost/
- GOV.UK, Electrical safety standards in the private rented sector: guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance
- GOV.UK, House in multiple occupation licence: https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence