Preparing for an EICR: consumer units, access and the day of inspection
A practical checklist for landlords and occupiers before fixed electrical installation testing.
Know what the electrician is inspecting
An Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR, records the condition of a property's fixed electrical installation. The inspection covers the agreed scope of wiring and equipment such as consumer units, circuits, sockets and light fittings. It is not a portable appliance test and does not automatically include every item plugged into a socket. The government electrical safety guidance for rented homes in England explains the report and landlord duties. Before booking, ask which areas and installations the electrician will test, particularly in a house with an outbuilding, converted loft or shared supply.
Count the consumer units accurately
Look for a main consumer unit and any separate boards serving an extension, garage, annexe or other part of the property. Send photographs if you are unsure whether two enclosures are separate units. The number of boards affects the inspection scope and the booking route: our EICR service has a saved price for one consumer unit and asks for a bespoke quote for more than one. Also mention known alterations, previous electrical work and any circuits that are out of use. A price based on one board should not be assumed to cover a second board discovered on arrival.
Prepare access and previous paperwork
Have the last EICR, any electrical installation certificates and records of completed remedial work available. Arrange access to the consumer units, sockets, lights, meter area and any locked rooms or outbuildings within the agreed scope. Let the occupier know that the electrician may need to isolate circuits while testing; ask the electrician about the likely interruption rather than promising that power will remain on. If the property has medical equipment, sensitive business equipment or another critical electrical need, raise it before the appointment so the visit can be planned safely.
What to do when the report arrives
Read the overall outcome and the individual observations. A satisfactory result is different from an unsatisfactory report that identifies danger, a potentially dangerous condition or a need for further investigation. The work required may be separate from the inspection you booked. Request a clear explanation of findings and a scope for any follow-up; keep both the original report and evidence of work completed. Our guide to EICR intervals and report codes explains C1, C2, FI and C3 and the relevant landlord response.
Give the visit a useful brief
Send the address, property type, consumer-unit count, access contact, previous report and any known faults together. That is more useful than simply asking for an “electrical certificate”. The inspector can then confirm the practical scope, and the landlord can plan for the inspection and any separate remedial work without confusing the two.