EICR Pre-Inspection Checklist for Landlords

An EICR inspection takes 2–5 hours depending on the property, and the inspector needs access to every part of the fixed installation. An aborted visit because the consumer unit is behind a locked cupboard or the tenant wasn't expecting the electrician costs you time and usually a call-out fee.

Ten minutes of preparation avoids that.

Before You Book: Scope and Quote

Confirm the circuit count. The number of circuits determines the inspection time and cost. A 1-bed flat typically has up to 6 circuits; a 3-bed house, up to 12; a large detached or HMO, 18+. If you don't know the circuit count, look at the consumer unit — each circuit breaker or fuse represents one circuit.

Include outbuildings and external circuits. A garage with power, a garden office, external security lighting, and electric gate systems all form part of the fixed installation. If these aren't in the inspector's quote, they won't be in the report — and an incomplete EICR may not satisfy SI 2020/312 if those spaces are part of the tenancy.

Get the scope in writing. The quote should specify how many consumer units will be tested, the approximate circuit count, whether outbuildings are included, the estimated time on site, and the total cost including VAT. If re-test fees apply after remedial work, confirm this upfront.

Preparing the Property

Clear access to the consumer unit. The inspector needs unobstructed access to the main consumer unit and any sub-boards. If the board is in a cupboard, behind furniture, or in a locked utility area, make sure it's accessible on the day.

Ensure every room is accessible. The inspector tests socket outlets, light fittings, and switches throughout the property. Locked rooms, blocked lofts, and inaccessible areas will be noted as limitations on the report — reducing its coverage and potentially requiring a return visit.

Coordinate with the tenant. Give written notice of at least 24 hours as part of the documented reasonable-steps process if access is refused. Explain what the inspection involves — the electrician will need to turn circuits off and on, test every socket and switch, and access the loft, garage, and utility spaces. The inspection doesn't damage anything, but it does cause brief power interruptions.

Switch off sensitive equipment. The inspector will briefly isolate individual circuits during testing. Ask the tenant to save any computer work, note that the Wi-Fi router will drop briefly, and unplug anything that's sensitive to power cycling.

On Inspection Day

Provide previous reports. The inspector should receive a copy of the previous EICR (if one exists) before or at the start of the inspection. This helps them compare the installation's condition over time and spot deterioration.

Be contactable. The inspector may need to call you during the inspection to discuss findings, get authorisation for further investigation, or report an immediate hazard. You don't need to be on site, but you should be reachable by phone.

Don't rush the inspector. An EICR that's completed too quickly is an EICR that misses things. If the quoted time was 3 hours and the inspector finishes in 90 minutes, that's a concern, not a bonus.

After the Inspection

Ask the inspector when the completed EICR will be issued, and check the overall result promptly. If it's Unsatisfactory, the 28-day remedial clock starts from the inspection date, not from when you read the report.

The Electrical Safety (EICR) Compliance Guide includes a pre-inspection scope checklist and a contractor vetting framework that covers everything from verifying qualifications to confirming quote scope — so the inspection runs smoothly the first time.

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