If you rent out a property in Hastings, St Leonards-on-Sea or Bexhill, your next Electrical Installation Condition Report may be due sooner than you think. Many landlords had EICRs carried out when the private rented sector rules came in, and the five-year renewal cycle means those certificates are now starting to come round again.
An EICR is not just a piece of paperwork. It is a structured inspection and test of the fixed wiring, consumer unit, earthing, bonding, circuits and accessories in a property. The aim is to identify electrical dangers, deterioration, poor previous work or anything that no longer meets the expected safety standard.
Why 2026 matters for landlord EICR renewals
In England, landlords must have the electrical installations in rented homes inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years, unless the report recommends a shorter interval. The rules applied to new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and to existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021, so a large number of early reports are now approaching renewal.
If you cannot find your last EICR, or the certificate says the next inspection is due in 2026, it is worth booking early rather than waiting until a tenancy change, managing agent request or insurance query forces the issue.
What is checked during an EICR?
During an EICR, I look at the condition and safety of the fixed electrical installation. This can include the consumer unit, protective devices, earthing and bonding, circuit test results, socket and lighting circuits, signs of overheating, exposed live parts, poor DIY alterations and whether RCD protection is suitable for the installation.
The report will normally classify observations using codes. A C1 means danger is present and immediate action is required. A C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial work is needed. FI means further investigation is required. A C3 is an improvement recommendation. A report with C1, C2 or FI items is usually unsatisfactory until the issues are dealt with.
Common issues found in local rental properties
- Older consumer units without suitable RCD protection.
- Damaged sockets, loose accessories or missing covers.
- Poor DIY additions or badly altered circuits.
- Inadequate earthing or bonding arrangements.
- Signs of overheating, loose connections or damaged cable entries.
- Unlabelled circuits that make future fault finding harder.
Not every observation means a full rewire is needed. A good EICR should separate genuine safety concerns from sensible improvement advice, so you know what needs doing now and what can be planned for later.
How landlords can prepare before the visit
- Make sure there is clear access to the consumer unit, meter position and main switch.
- Tell tenants in advance that some power may need to be turned off during testing.
- Find any previous certificates, installation paperwork or consumer unit labels.
- Point out any known faults, nuisance tripping or damaged accessories.
- Allow enough time if the property is larger, older or has had several alterations.
Do homeowners need an EICR too?
Homeowners are not under the same private rented sector duty, but an EICR is still useful if you are buying a property, planning renovation work, concerned about an old fuse board, or simply want a clear picture of the electrical condition of your home. It can also be helpful before adding larger loads such as an EV charger or major kitchen work.
Book an EICR in Hastings, St Leonards or Bexhill
I’m Darren at DSG Electrical Services. I carry out EICRs for homeowners and landlords across Hastings, St Leonards-on-Sea, Bexhill and the surrounding East Sussex area. I hold the City & Guilds 2391-52 inspection and testing qualification, and I explain the findings clearly so you know exactly what matters.
If your rental property is due its five-year check, or you are unsure when the last inspection was carried out, visit my EICR testing page or contact me here for straightforward advice.
You may also find this guide useful: What is an EICR and what is involved?
Useful references: GOV.UK electrical safety standards guidance and Electrical Safety First guide to condition reports.
