How often does a landlord need an EICR in Nottingham?
Landlords in England — including across Nottingham — must have a valid EICR at least every 5 years, and a fresh report at every change of tenancy where the existing one is older than 5 years. Selective and HMO licensing in NG7, NG3 and NG2 may impose stricter conditions on top.
By Joshua Richardson & Benjamin Clurow · Co-Directors, JBRC Ltd · Last updated 15 April 2026
Every 5 years minimum, plus at change of tenancy if the existing certificate is more than 5 years old. This comes from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Failure to comply carries a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. Tenants must be given a copy within 28 days of the inspection, and any new tenant must receive one before they move in.
What the 2020 regulations actually require
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020 for new tenancies and 1 April 2021 for all existing tenancies. The duty applies to almost every assured shorthold tenancy, licence to occupy and HMO in England — student lets, holiday lets and a handful of social-housing exceptions aside.
The landlord must: arrange an EICR by a qualified person at least every 5 years, supply the report to the tenant within 28 days, supply it to the local authority within 7 days of being asked, and act on any C1, C2 or FI codes within 28 days (or sooner if the inspector specifies).
Nottingham-specific licensing on top
Nottingham City Council operates Selective Licensing across much of NG7, NG3 and parts of NG1–NG2. Selective licence conditions almost always require a current EICR at application and may stipulate stricter remedial timelines.
Mandatory HMO Licensing applies to all houses with 5+ unrelated occupants forming 2+ households. HMO licence conditions in Nottingham routinely require annual visual checks of fixed installations alongside the 5-yearly EICR, plus PAT testing of any landlord-supplied appliances. We bundle these as a single 'landlord compliance' visit when we do the EICR.
What the EICR actually covers
An EICR is a periodic inspection and test of the fixed wiring — consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches, lighting points, fixed appliance connections and earthing. It does not cover plug-in appliances (that's PAT testing), gas (Gas Safe), or smoke alarms (separate annual test under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2022).
The inspector issues a report classifying defects as C1 (danger present, immediate action), C2 (potentially dangerous, urgent remedial), C3 (improvement recommended), or FI (further investigation required). Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report 'unsatisfactory' and remedial work is mandatory within 28 days.
When you need an EICR — quick reference
Use this table to gauge your obligation. The default is 'at least every 5 years', but several common scenarios trigger an earlier inspection.
| Trigger event | EICR required? |
|---|---|
| Existing certificate older than 5 years | Yes — immediately |
| New tenancy starting, certificate over 5 years old | Yes — before move-in |
| Selective Licence application/renewal | Yes — typically required |
| HMO Licence application/renewal | Yes — required |
| Major refurbishment or rewire | Yes — new EIC, not a periodic |
| Damp damage, electrical fire, flood | Yes — interim inspection |
| Same tenant continuing, certificate still valid | No — until expiry |
Penalties, evidence and remedial timelines
Local authorities can serve a remedial notice within 21 days of becoming aware of a breach. Failure to comply can attract a financial penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. The local authority can also arrange remedial work itself and bill the landlord — including for emergency disconnection if a C1 isn't actioned.
Keep the report, all written confirmation of remedial work, and any tenant correspondence for at least 6 years. Most insurers and Section 21 challenges check this paperwork before a claim or a possession case proceeds.
If the inspector flags C2 or FI, you have 28 days from the date of the report (or sooner if specified) to complete remedials and provide written confirmation to the tenant and council. Use the same NICEIC contractor where possible — the original inspector retains liability and can re-issue a satisfactory EICR straight after the work.
For the full service overview, see our EICR / Electrical Safety Certificate in Nottingham page, or browse all industrial electrical services.
Joshua Richardson & Benjamin Clurow
Co-Directors, JBRC Ltd · 30+ combined years (per Checkatrade)
Joshua Richardson and Benjamin Clurow are the joint co-founders and named directors of JBRC Ltd, a Nottingham-based electrical contractor (Companies House #17015285). The business is NICEIC Approved and a NICEIC Part-P Domestic Installer, working across Nottingham, Derbyshire and Leicestershire on domestic rewires, EICRs, EV charger installs, commercial fit-outs and three-phase work.
- NICEIC Approved Contractor
- NICEIC Part-P Domestic Installer
- Co-Directors, JBRC Ltd (Companies House #17015285)
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