The short answer
No. No law in England says you must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before you sell your home. The government has turned down calls to make it compulsory for house sales, so it’s still optional for homeowners.
That doesn’t mean it never comes up. Buyers’ solicitors, surveyors and mortgage lenders often ask about the electrics, especially in older homes. If you can’t answer their questions, your sale can slow down, the buyer may try to renegotiate, or in the worst case the sale can fall through.
EICR vs EIC: don’t mix them up
People often confuse these two documents, and the difference matters when you sell.
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report): a full inspection of the condition of your existing wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches and fittings. It’s a health check on the whole installation.
- EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate): issued when new electrical work is done, such as a new circuit, a consumer unit replacement, a rewire, or work in a bathroom. Under Part P of the Building Regulations, notifiable work done since 1 January 2005 should have this paperwork.
When you sell, the Property Information Form (TA6) asks about electrical work done at the property and whether you have the certificates for it. A missing EIC usually causes more delays than not having an EICR. If a past electrician was registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, you can often get a copy of the certificate from the scheme or from your local building control.
When an EICR before selling is a good idea
An EICR isn’t legally required, but getting one before you list is often a smart move if:
- Your home is older or hasn’t been rewired in 25 years or more
- You still have an old fuse box instead of a modern consumer unit with RCD protection
- Work was done without paperwork, such as DIY changes, an extension or a kitchen refit where you can’t find the certificates
- Your survey flagged the electrics, as surveyors often recommend a test by a qualified electrician
- You’re selling a rented property, because landlords already have to have a valid EICR (more on this below)
- You want to avoid last-minute price drops, because finding and fixing issues first means the buyer can’t use them to knock money off the price
What happens if you don’t get one?
If you don’t provide an EICR, the buyer can arrange their own, usually at their cost, and an electrician will need access to your home. If that inspection finds problems, you may get a renegotiation request late in the process, when you have the least time and the most to lose.
Having your own report ready puts you in control. You know where you stand, you can fix anything that needs fixing on your own timescale, and you can show buyers the electrics have been checked.
Understanding the EICR result
An EICR is marked Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Any issues found are given a code:
- C1: Danger present. There’s a risk of injury and it needs fixing immediately.
- C2: Potentially dangerous. It needs urgent work.
- C3: Improvement recommended. It isn’t dangerous, but the installation doesn’t meet the current standard.
- FI: Further investigation needed. Something needs to be looked at more closely.
A report with any C1, C2 or FI codes is unsatisfactory. C3 codes on their own won’t fail the report.
What if your EICR is unsatisfactory?
Don’t panic. Most problems that fail an EICR are straightforward to fix, such as missing RCD protection, damaged accessories or earthing and bonding issues. You have two options:
- Fix it before you sell. Have the remedial work done and get written confirmation that the installation is now satisfactory. This is usually the cleanest route.
- Disclose it and negotiate. Share the report with buyers and reflect it in the price. This can work, but it gives the buyer room to ask for a bigger reduction than the work actually costs.
Selling a rented property?
If the property is or has been rented out, the rules are different. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the electrics inspected and tested at least every five years and give a copy of the report to tenants. If you’re selling with tenants still in the property, the buyer will expect a valid EICR as part of the sale.
How long does an EICR take?
For a typical house, an EICR usually takes a few hours, depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits. The power will need to be switched off at points during testing, so it’s best to book at a time that suits you. You’ll get a full written report once it’s done.
Book your EICR with Urgent Electrical Services
Urgent Electrical Services is an NICEIC-approved electrical contractor based in Nottingham, covering homes across the East Midlands. If you’re getting ready to sell, we can inspect your property, explain the results in plain English, and carry out any remedial work so your report comes back satisfactory.
You can book your EICR online in a few minutes. Pick a date that suits you and we’ll take care of the rest.
Quick FAQs
Is an EICR a legal requirement to sell a house?
No. It’s optional for homeowners in England, but it’s often requested during the sale.
Can the buyer get their own EICR?
Yes. Buyers can arrange their own inspection, and they usually pay for it.
How long is an EICR valid for?
For owner-occupied homes, the recommended interval is every 10 years or when the property changes hands. For rented homes, it’s every 5 years.
Is an EIC the same as an EICR?
No. An EIC certifies new electrical work. An EICR reports on the condition of the existing installation.
