How Much Does an EICR Cost for a Rental Property?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is one of the bigger compliance bills a landlord faces, but it only comes round every five years, so it's easy to forget what a fair price looks like. This guide explains what you're paying for, what pushes the price up or down, and how to avoid the cheap reports that end up costing more. If you need a refresher on why landlords need an EICR in the first place, start with our guide EICR explained: what landlords need to know.

What you're paying for

An EICR is an inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in your property. A qualified electrician will:

• Inspect the consumer unit (fuse box), wiring, sockets, switches and light fittings.
• Test each circuit, including insulation resistance, earth continuity and how quickly protective devices such as RCDs trip.
• Check the main earthing and bonding to gas and water pipes.
• Write up a report that records what was inspected, any limitations, the test results and any defects, each with a code.

The price covers the inspection and the report. It doesn't cover fixing anything the electrician finds. That's priced separately, and we explain how below.

What affects the price

No two properties take quite the same time to test. These are the main things that make a difference:

• Size of the property. More rooms usually means more circuits, sockets and fittings to inspect and test. This is why most electricians, including those on RentalComply, price EICRs by property size.
• Number of consumer units. A flat with one fuse box is quicker than a house with a separate supply to a garage, outbuilding or annexe. HMOs with communal areas often take longer again.
• Age and condition of the installation. Older wiring, a mix of old and new circuits or past DIY work all take longer to test and record properly.
• Access. Furniture blocking sockets, a locked loft or a consumer unit behind boxes all slow the job down. So does a tenant who can't let the electrician into every room.
• Location. Travel time can affect the price, especially in rural areas.

Remedial work is priced separately

If the report finds a C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation needed), the installation is unsatisfactory and you must get the work done. In England, the deadline is 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.

Ask for a written, itemised quote for any remedial work. You don't have to use the electrician who carried out the inspection, so if a quote looks high, you can get a second opinion. Our guide Unsatisfactory EICR: what landlords must do next walks through the rules step by step.

C3 codes ("improvement recommended") don't make a report unsatisfactory, so you can plan that work for later if you prefer.

Why the cheapest EICR isn't always the cheapest

A proper EICR on a typical house or flat takes a few hours. Be wary of a very low price combined with a very quick visit. Some warning signs:

• No schedule of test results. A genuine EICR includes the measurements taken on each circuit. A report without them isn't worth much to you or your local council.
• Vague limitations. The report should state clearly what wasn't inspected and why, for example a room that couldn't be accessed.
• A low inspection price followed by a long list of expensive "urgent" repairs. Ask the electrician to explain each code, and get a second quote if you're unsure.
• No proof of qualifications. The person carrying out the inspection should hold a recognised inspection and testing qualification, such as City & Guilds 2391.

A report that doesn't stand up to scrutiny can leave you exposed if a council or tenant asks to see it, and you may end up paying for a second inspection.

Ways to keep the cost down

• Book ahead of the deadline. Leaving it to the last week limits your choice of electricians and dates.
• Prepare the property. Make sure the consumer unit, loft and every room are accessible, and let tenants know the power will be off for parts of the visit.
• Share the previous report. A copy of the last EICR helps the electrician understand the installation and any earlier issues.
• Combine visits. If the electrician also offers PAT testing or smoke and CO alarm checks, ask whether they can do them on the same visit.

How pricing works on RentalComply

Every electrician on RentalComply sets a fixed EICR price by property size, so you see the full price before you book. There's no call-out quote to chase and no surprise on the day. You enter your postcode, compare verified local electricians by price, distance and reviews, pick a time and pay online. The report is uploaded to your dashboard as soon as the job's done, ready to share with your tenants.

See EICR prices and book online, or find electricians in your town.