What Does an EICR Include?

If you have been asked to arrange an EICR, or you are simply trying to stay on top of electrics at home, the first question is usually the same - what does an EICR include? Most people do not want a technical lecture. They want to know what an electrician is actually checking, how disruptive it will be, and what the report means once it lands in their hands.

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a proper inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in a property. That means the wiring, sockets, light fittings, switches, consumer unit and other permanent electrical parts of the home. It is not the same as a quick visual check, and it is not the same as PAT testing portable appliances.

What does an EICR include in practice?

In simple terms, an EICR includes two parts: inspection and testing. The inspection looks for visible signs of damage, wear, poor workmanship, age-related issues and anything that could make the installation unsafe. The testing side checks whether circuits and protective devices are actually performing as they should.

That means the electrician is not just looking at whether your lights switch on. They are checking whether the electrics are safe to keep using.

A proper EICR will usually cover the consumer unit, earthing and bonding, socket circuits, lighting circuits, any hard-wired equipment, and the overall condition of the installation. The exact scope can vary slightly depending on the property and access, but the focus is always on the fixed wiring system.

The main areas checked during an EICR

Consumer unit and protective devices

The consumer unit is one of the first things looked at because it is the control point for the installation. The electrician checks the condition of the unit itself, whether breakers are correctly rated, whether there is RCD protection where required, and whether anything looks dated, damaged or poorly altered.

This matters a lot in older homes. A house can seem fine day to day but still have an outdated fuse box that does not offer the level of protection expected now. That does not always mean immediate danger, but it can mean improvement work is needed.

Wiring and circuit condition

The wiring is assessed as far as it can be without tearing the place apart. The electrician looks for signs of deterioration, overheating, poor connections, damage to accessories, and any DIY alterations that are not up to standard.

In some homes, especially older properties, the age of the wiring becomes part of the picture. Old wiring is not automatically unsafe, but if it has perished insulation, inconsistent repairs or signs of overloading, it may be flagged.

Sockets, switches and light fittings

Accessories around the home are checked for damage, loose fittings, cracks, scorch marks and general condition. The electrician may remove a sample of faceplates to inspect connections behind them and carry out tests.

This is where everyday issues often show up. A socket that has started to loosen, a switch with heat damage, or a light fitting that has been badly replaced can all tell you something about the condition of the circuit behind it.

Earthing and bonding

This is one part many customers have never heard of until it appears on a report. Earthing and bonding help electrical faults clear safely and reduce the risk of electric shock. During an EICR, the electrician checks whether the installation has suitable earthing arrangements and whether bonding is in place to services such as petrol and water where required.

If these are missing or inadequate, it can affect the safety of the whole installation.

Testing of circuits

An EICR is not just visual. Electrical testing is carried out to confirm the condition and performance of circuits. This can include continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD testing.

The names sound technical, but the point is straightforward. These tests help show whether the circuits are properly connected, insulated, protected and able to disconnect safely in a fault condition.

What an EICR does not include

It helps to be clear on this because people often expect more than the report is meant to cover. An EICR does not usually cover portable appliances such as kettles, toasters, televisions or plug-in lamps. That is separate from the fixed installation.

It also does not mean every single cable in the property is exposed and inspected from end to end. Much of the wiring is hidden in walls, floors and ceilings. The electrician inspects and tests as thoroughly as possible without causing unnecessary damage, using experience and test results to judge the condition of what cannot be fully seen.

If there are access limits, these should be recorded in the report.

What happens during the appointment?

For most households, the power will need to be turned off at points during the inspection. That is normal. Testing cannot be done properly with everything left live the whole time.

The time needed depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits, and the condition of the installation. A small flat is different from a larger family house with extensions, outdoor power, electric showers and added circuits over the years.

Occupied homes can also take longer than empty properties, simply because access has to be managed around furniture, belongings and day-to-day life. A good electrician will explain what needs accessed and keep disruption sensible.

Understanding the codes on the report

When the inspection is finished, the report will record any observations using classification codes. This is often the part customers find most confusing.

A C1 code means there is danger present and immediate action is required. A C2 code means potentially dangerous and urgent remedial work is needed. A C3 code means improvement recommended - not necessarily unsafe, but below current standards or worth upgrading. There may also be FI, which means further investigation required.

That difference matters. Not every issue on an EICR means the property is unsafe to occupy, but some findings do need dealt with quickly. The overall result will usually be marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on those observations.

Why landlords and homeowners ask for EICRs

For landlords, an EICR is often about legal compliance and keeping a property ready for tenants. In Scotland, private rented properties need regular electrical safety checks, so the report is not optional in the way it might be for an owner-occupied home.

For homeowners, it is more about safety, age of installation, buying or selling, or getting peace of mind after faults or renovation work. If lights are flickering, circuits are tripping, or the fuse box looks like it belongs to another decade, an EICR can show whether there is a wider issue rather than a one-off fault.

It can also be useful before other upgrades. If you are planning a new consumer unit, extra sockets, an EV charger or garden lighting, knowing the condition of the existing installation gives you a much clearer starting point.

Does a failed EICR mean a full rewire?

Not always, and this is where a bit of honesty helps. Some properties do need major work, especially if the wiring is very old or the installation has been heavily altered over the years. But plenty of unsatisfactory reports are caused by more contained issues such as missing bonding, lack of RCD protection, damaged accessories or faults on a single circuit.

The right next step depends on what the report actually says. A good electrician should be able to explain the findings in plain language and separate urgent safety work from recommended improvements.

That is often the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control of the job.

What does an EICR include for landlords compared with homeowners?

The inspection itself is broadly the same because the fixed installation still has to be checked properly either way. The difference is usually in the reason for having it done and the paperwork expected afterwards.

Landlords tend to need the report for compliance records and may also need remedial work carried out within a certain timescale if the result is unsatisfactory. Homeowners may be arranging one voluntarily, perhaps after moving in or before modernising the property.

Either way, the value is the same - you get a clearer picture of the condition of the electrics and what, if anything, needs attention.

A sensible way to look at it

An EICR is not there to catch you out. It is there to check whether the fixed electrics in a property are safe for continued use. If the installation is in good order, that is reassuring. If there are problems, it gives you a proper basis for putting them right instead of guessing.

For homeowners and landlords alike, that is usually the real benefit. You know where you stand, you know what needs done, and you can deal with it before a small issue turns into a bigger one.