Understand the condition of the fixed electrical installation
An EICR is an inspection and testing process for the fixed electrical installation. It considers items such as the consumer unit, protective devices, earthing, bonding, circuits and a representative sample of accessories. The report records observations and whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use.
Kirkstall Electrical provides EICRs across Leeds and explains the outcome without turning every observation into a sales pitch. Where remedial work or further investigation is required, the priority and practical next step are made clear.
What our eicr service includes
Who needs an EICR?
EICRs are commonly arranged by landlords, homeowners with an unknown installation history, buyers seeking more detail than a general building survey, and businesses managing inspection schedules. The correct interval depends on the property, use, previous report and any applicable legal duty.
Landlord EICRs in Leeds
Current government guidance for England requires covered rented homes to have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. The report must be supplied to existing tenants within 28 days and to a new tenant before occupation, subject to the detailed rules and exceptions.
The report may set an earlier next-inspection date. Landlords should follow the report and the current regulations rather than assuming every certificate lasts exactly five years.
Understanding EICR codes
Observations are classified so the level of concern is clear.
- C1: danger present and immediate action required
- C2: potentially dangerous and remedial action required
- FI: further investigation required without delay
- C3: improvement recommended but not, by itself, an unsatisfactory outcome
What an EICR does—and does not—cover
An EICR includes visual inspection and electrical tests, but it is not a guarantee that every concealed cable or accessory has been dismantled and checked. Limitations, inaccessible areas and agreed sampling are recorded.
Portable appliances are separate from the fixed installation. If appliance checks are required, confirm that scope when booking.
Remedial work after an unsatisfactory report
If the report contains C1, C2 or FI observations, the installation is generally recorded as unsatisfactory and action is required. We can quote the necessary remedial work separately, provide written confirmation after completion and keep the original inspection findings traceable.
Recent eicr work in Leeds
EICR cost in Leeds
EICR prices depend on the number of circuits, not the number of rooms. As a guide: a 1–2 bed flat from £150, a 3-bed house from £180, a 4-bed or larger from £220, and small commercial premises from £250. That includes the inspection, testing of every circuit, the written report with coded observations and a plain-English summary of what, if anything, needs doing. Landlords with several properties in Headingley, Hyde Park, Burley or Kirkstall can book them together for a lower per-property rate. See our EICR prices.
Landlord EICR Leeds: the five-year rule
Since April 2021 every privately rented home in England must have a satisfactory EICR no more than five years old, a copy must be given to tenants within 28 days and to the council within 7 days of a request, and any C1, C2 or FI observations must be put right within 28 days. Leeds City Council enforces this and can fine landlords up to £30,000. Many first-round EICRs from 2020–21 are now due for renewal — if yours is dated 2021, it expires this year.
We work with private landlords and letting agents across Leeds and can handle remedials, re-inspection and the follow-up certificate so you have a single point of contact. Our landlord EICR guide covers the rules in detail.
Commercial EICR and fixed wire testing
Businesses searching for fixed wire testing in Leeds are looking for the same inspection under a different name. Shops, offices, cafés, salons and small industrial units need a periodic inspection — typically every five years for offices and shops, more often for higher-risk environments — to satisfy the Electricity at Work Regulations and most insurers. We carry out commercial EICRs outside trading hours where needed and provide the report in a format your insurer or landlord will accept.
How our eicr service works
Confirm the scope
We record the property type, use, access arrangements and previous reports.
Inspect and test
The fixed installation is examined and electrical measurements are taken.
Issue the report
Observations, codes, limitations and the recommended next inspection are documented.
Explain next steps
We answer questions and provide a separate remedial quotation where requested.
Related electrical services
EICR in Kirkstall and LS5
Kirkstall is our primary local service area and the base for our wider Leeds coverage. We provide eicr for homes, landlords and businesses throughout Kirkstall LS5, including properties around Kirkstall Road, Abbey Road, Morris Lane, Hawksworth and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Being locally based helps us understand the mix of older terraces, converted properties, rental homes, family houses and commercial premises found around Kirkstall. Every job is still assessed on its own electrical condition, access and required scope.
EICR across Leeds
We provide this service from our Kirkstall base across Leeds and surrounding West Yorkshire communities. Browse a local page below or use the complete area finder.
Further official guidance: GOV.UK: electrical safety standards for rented homes.
EICR Leeds FAQs
How long does an EICR take?
It depends on property size, circuit count, access and defects found. We give an estimate after gathering the property details.
Does an EICR include repairs?
No. It is an inspection report. Immediate danger may be made safe, but other remedial work is quoted separately.
Will the power be switched off?
Yes. Electrical testing requires planned isolation of circuits and sometimes the whole installation.
How often do landlords need an EICR?
Covered rented properties in England generally require inspection at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report requires it. Check current government guidance for the tenancy.
What makes an EICR unsatisfactory?
C1, C2 or FI observations normally mean the report is unsatisfactory. C3 alone is an improvement recommendation.
Can you complete the remedial work?
Yes, subject to quotation and scope. Confirmation and relevant certification are supplied after satisfactory completion.
How long does an EICR take?
A typical 3-bed house takes 2–3 hours. Larger properties, older installations and properties with many circuits take longer. We need access to the consumer unit and a sample of sockets, switches and fittings in every room.
Will the power be off during the EICR?
Yes, for short periods while each circuit is dead-tested. We tell you before isolating anything so computers and freezers can be planned around.
What if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
The report lists exactly what needs doing and how urgent it is. We quote the remedial work separately, complete it and issue confirmation so the report becomes satisfactory. You are free to use another electrician for remedials if you prefer.
Do you do EICRs for house purchases?
Yes. A buyer's EICR before exchange is one of the best-value checks you can do on an older Leeds house — it often finds issues the survey does not mention.