What Is an EICR and Do You Need One in Greenwich?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report — commonly called an EICR — is the most important electrical document you can have for a property. Whether you're a landlord in Greenwich with a legal obligation to hold one, a homebuyer wanting to understand what you're buying, or a homeowner concerned about an aging installation, understanding what an EICR involves will help you make better decisions.

What Exactly Is an EICR?

An EICR is a formal, written assessment of the electrical installation inside a building. It's carried out by a qualified electrician who visually inspects the consumer unit, all accessible wiring, sockets, switches and light fittings, and then performs a series of electrical tests on every circuit. The result is a structured report that classifies any findings by severity.

The report concludes with one of two outcomes: Satisfactory, meaning the installation is in acceptable condition with no significant faults, or Unsatisfactory, meaning there are issues that need to be addressed. Unsatisfactory doesn't necessarily mean there's immediate danger — some faults are serious and some are minor recommendations — but they all need to be investigated.

What Does the Electrician Test?

During a typical EICR on a residential property in Greenwich, the electrician will:

• Visually inspect the consumer unit — its age, type, condition and protective devices
• Inspect all visible wiring for signs of deterioration, poor installation or inadequate protection
• Test every circuit for continuity, insulation resistance and polarity
• Verify that RCDs operate correctly within the required trip times
• Check earthing and main bonding to gas and water services
• Record any observations or deviations from current standards

This involves isolating each circuit one at a time, so the supply to different parts of the property will be briefly interrupted during the process.

What Do the Codes Mean?

Every fault or observation is assigned a code:

• C1 (Danger Present): A fault that poses an immediate risk of injury or worse. The electrician is required to make it safe before leaving the property where possible.
• C2 (Potentially Dangerous): A fault that doesn't pose immediate danger but could become dangerous. Landlords must remedy C1 and C2 faults within 28 days.
• C3 (Improvement Recommended): Doesn't meet current standards but isn't considered dangerous. No legal obligation to act, but sensible to address.
• FI (Further Investigation Required): Something that can't be fully assessed during the inspection — a concealed fault, for example.

Who Legally Needs an EICR?

Landlords: The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require all private landlords to have a valid EICR every 5 years and to carry out any C1 or C2 remedial work within 28 days. Copies must be provided to tenants at the start of any tenancy. Non-compliance can result in financial penalties of up to £30,000.

HMO landlords in Greenwich may face additional requirements from Greenwich Borough Council — if in doubt, check directly with the local authority or ask us when you contact us.

Do Homeowners Need an EICR?

There's no legal obligation for owner-occupiers. However, many homeowners book an EICR proactively when:

• They've moved into a property with an unknown electrical history
• The last inspection was more than 10 years ago
• They're planning renovation work and want to understand the state of the installation first
• They're experiencing repeated issues — tripping circuits, flickering lights or intermittent faults

Pre-Purchase EICRs in Greenwich

Your mortgage surveyor won't carry out a proper electrical assessment. Given the age profile of properties in Greenwich — many Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis and 1930s housing — a pre-purchase EICR is a very sensible investment before you commit to buying. If the installation needs significant work, knowing before you exchange gives you leverage to negotiate or at least budget properly. We carry out pre-purchase EICRs regularly across the SE postcode areas.

How Long Does an EICR Take?

For a typical 3–4 bedroom property in Greenwich, expect the inspection to take 2.5 to 4 hours. Larger properties or those with complicated installations take longer. We always try to confirm a realistic time estimate when you book so you can plan your day.

What Happens After?

The report is emailed to you on the day of the inspection. If the result is Satisfactory, that's your EICR certificate and you're done (for another 5 years if you're a landlord). If it's Unsatisfactory, we'll go through the findings with you, explain what's needed and provide a fixed price for any remedial works. We can usually carry out the work within a few days and re-issue a Satisfactory certificate on completion.