EICR Requirements for Scotland Landlords

Electrical safety in Scottish rentals sits under Section 13(1)(c) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, reinforced by the March 2024 statutory guidance update that made RCD protection an explicit requirement. If you let property in Scotland, three distinct electrical obligations apply: the EICR on fixed wiring, RCD compliance, and PAT testing on supplied appliances.

The EICR: Every 5 Years

An Electrical Installation Condition Report inspects the property's fixed wiring — the consumer unit (fuse board), circuit breakers, earthing, bonding of gas and water services, switches, sockets, light fittings, and all fixed wiring between them.

The statutory interval is 5 years. If the electrician specifies a shorter re-inspection period on the report (common for older installations), that shorter interval becomes legally binding.

The EICR must be carried out by a competent person with appropriate electrical qualifications and experience. Registration with a recognised professional body such as SELECT, NICEIC, or NAPIT is one way to show competence. If the person is not registered with one of these bodies, retain evidence that they meet the Scottish Government's electrical competence checklist.

Understanding the Classification Codes

The electrician rates every finding using standard codes:

• C1 (Danger Present) — anyone using the installation is at risk. Remedial work should be carried out immediately; the electrician may make it safe before leaving.
• C2 (Potentially Dangerous) — urgent remedial action is required.
• FI (Further Investigation Required) — investigate as soon as practically possible, since the result may reveal a dangerous or potentially dangerous condition.
• C3 (Improvement Recommended) — advisory only. Doesn't make the report unsatisfactory.

An EICR with any C1, C2, or FI code is classified as Unsatisfactory. Rectify C1 and C2 findings urgently and investigate FI findings as soon as practically possible. Record remedial work separately; use a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate where appropriate, and obtain an Electrical Installation Certificate if the consumer unit is replaced.

RCD Protection: The March 2024 Addition

The statutory guidance update that took effect on 1 March 2024 made it explicit: the consumer unit must include residual current device protection operating at a rated residual current of 30mA or below.

An RCD is a safety switch that cuts the power in milliseconds if it detects current leaking to earth — the primary protection against electrocution from faulty wiring or appliances. Modern consumer units with circuit breakers (MCBs) almost always include RCD protection, but older fuse boards with rewirable fuses typically don't.

If your EICR shows the property lacks 30mA RCD protection, that's a compliance failure under the current repairing standard. Upgrading a consumer unit to include RCDs typically costs £300–£500 and is one of the most cost-effective safety improvements you can make.

PAT Testing: Supplied Appliances

Portable and transportable electrical appliances you provide as part of the tenancy — fridges, washing machines, tumble dryers, microwaves, kettles, toasters — must be included in your in-service inspection and testing (ISIT, commonly called PAT testing) process. A new appliance does not need a test during its first year, but record when its first test is due.

The frequency isn't fixed by statute. Instead, the testing electrician sets the interval based on the appliance type and condition — typically every 1–2 years. Each tested appliance must have a pass label affixed, and you must retain a PAT register alongside the EICR.

Tenant-owned appliances are excluded. If a tenant brings their own microwave, that's not your responsibility to test.

Document Delivery

Give a copy of the EICR to an existing tenant when an inspection takes place during the tenancy. Give a new tenant a copy before the tenancy starts. Retain each EICR for 6 years.

Common Gaps

No separate PAT register — many landlords get the EICR done but forget that supplied appliances need their own inspection and testing record. If you provide a fridge and a washing machine, include both in the register and record when their next tests are due.

Relying on an old consumer unit — pre-RCD fuse boards might pass a basic visual check but won't meet the March 2024 30mA requirement. Ask your electrician specifically about RCD protection.

Using the EICR expiry date from the report — the 5-year interval runs from the inspection date, not a printed "next due" date that might differ. Track the actual inspection date.

For contractor verification checksheets (what to confirm before paying the electrician's invoice), RCD audit steps, and the full electrical safety compliance framework, see the Scotland Repairing Standard guide.

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