Is an EICR a legal requirement to sell?
No. There is no legal requirement to have an EICR to sell an owner-occupied home in England. However, the property information form completed by the seller asks about electrical work carried out since 2005 and the certificates held, and buyers' surveyors frequently recommend an electrical inspection if the installation looks dated.
Why sellers often get one anyway
- Fewer surprises. You find out about defects before the buyer's surveyor does, and can fix them on your terms.
- Fewer renegotiations. A satisfactory report removes a common reason for a late price reduction.
- Missing paperwork. If you cannot find certificates for past work, an EICR gives a current picture of the installation's condition.
Advice for buyers
A homebuyer survey is not an electrical inspection. If the property has an old fuse box, a mix of old and new wiring, or no recent certificates, commission an EICR before exchange. Any C1 or C2 findings give you a factual basis to negotiate. Buying to let? You will need a satisfactory EICR before the first tenancy starts — see landlord EICR requirements.
How often should homeowners test?
For owner-occupied homes, the recommended interval is every 10 years, and also when a property changes hands. Older installations, homes with extensions or DIY alterations, and properties with signs of overheating benefit from more frequent checks.
What next
Our fixed-price EICR testing starts at £109 including VAT, with the digital report within 48 hours — useful when a sale is moving quickly.