An EICR is not an optional extra for a rented property. It is a key part of meeting a landlord’s electrical safety duties, and the question of whether can landlords charge EICR costs to tenants has a clear practical answer in most residential tenancies: the landlord should pay for it.
For landlords in Plymouth and across England, treating an Electrical Installation Condition Report as a separate tenant charge can create unnecessary disputes and may fall foul of tenancy fee rules. The sensible approach is to budget for inspections, any required remedial work, and ongoing electrical maintenance as part of running a safe rental property.
Can landlords charge EICR costs to tenants in England?
In most cases, no. A landlord cannot ask a tenant to pay a separate compulsory fee for an EICR during a residential tenancy in England.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 restricts the payments that landlords and letting agents can require from tenants. An EICR fee is not generally a permitted payment. This means a landlord should not issue an invoice for the inspection, add an “electrical safety charge” to the tenancy agreement, or demand payment before allowing a tenancy to proceed.
The EICR is the landlord’s responsibility because the landlord controls the installation and has a legal duty to ensure it is safe. That responsibility remains with the landlord even where a tenant has a long-term tenancy or uses more electricity than expected.
There is an important distinction between recovering business costs through the overall rent and charging a tenant a separate, compulsory compliance fee. Landlords set rents with many costs in mind, including insurance, repairs, mortgage payments, management and safety compliance. However, using an EICR as a separate charge during a tenancy is unlikely to be appropriate.
Why the EICR is a landlord responsibility
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years. An inspection may need to happen sooner if the previous report recommends a shorter interval.
The report must be provided to an existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection. New tenants must receive a copy before they occupy the property, and the local authority must receive it within seven days if it requests one.
Where an EICR identifies a problem that requires remedial work, the landlord must arrange for the work to be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period. Written confirmation that the work has been completed must then be obtained and supplied to the tenant and, where requested, the local authority.
These duties apply to the fixed installation, such as the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and fixed electrical equipment. Portable appliances supplied with the property are a separate consideration. Although portable appliance testing is not automatically a legal requirement in every rented home, landlords still need to ensure supplied appliances are safe.
Can an EICR cost be included in the rent?
A landlord may set the rent at a level that reflects the genuine cost of owning and managing a property. This is different from identifying an EICR on an invoice and asking the tenant to reimburse it.
Any rent increase must still be handled properly. It needs to follow the terms of the tenancy agreement or the correct legal process, and it must not be used as a shortcut to impose a prohibited fee. Tenants should be able to see clearly what they are being asked to pay and why.
For landlords, transparency is usually the better route. Build periodic safety inspections into the property budget, rather than presenting them as unexpected tenant costs. A properly planned EICR helps prevent larger bills later, particularly where ageing consumer units, damaged accessories or deteriorating wiring need attention.
What if a tenant has caused electrical damage?
This is where the position can become more fact-specific. A landlord remains responsible for arranging the EICR and making the installation safe. However, if there is clear evidence that a tenant has caused damage beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord may be able to seek the reasonable cost of repair.
For example, damage caused by unauthorised alterations, a broken socket resulting from misuse, or equipment damaged through neglect may be recoverable. That is not the same as charging the tenant for the EICR itself.
Evidence matters. Keep dated photographs, invoices, inspection notes and records of communication with the tenant. If a deduction is proposed from a tenancy deposit, it must be reasonable, supported by evidence and dealt with through the relevant deposit protection process. A tenant should not be charged for pre-existing defects, ordinary ageing or improvements that leave the property in better condition than before.
What about leasehold flats and service charges?
The answer can differ where a landlord owns a leasehold flat or manages a block of flats. A freeholder or managing agent may be entitled to recover certain inspection, maintenance and repair costs through a service charge, but this depends on the wording of the lease.
That is a matter between the building owner or management company and the leaseholder. It does not automatically mean a residential tenant can be billed separately for an EICR. If the landlord of a flat incurs a legitimate service charge, they should still consider their own tenancy agreement and the Tenant Fees Act before attempting to pass anything directly to their tenant.
Communal electrical installations also need careful attention. The electrical system serving communal hallways, stairs, plant rooms and external lighting may have separate inspection and maintenance requirements from the installation within an individual flat.
Commercial tenants are different
Commercial leases operate differently from residential tenancies. A business lease may state that the tenant is responsible for electrical testing, repairs, compliance costs or a proportion of building maintenance through a service charge.
The lease wording is central. Before charging a commercial occupier for an EICR, landlords should check exactly what the lease permits and whether the cost is reasonable and properly apportioned. A commercial tenant may also have responsibilities for electrical equipment or alterations it has installed.
For residential landlords, it is best not to rely on commercial arrangements as a guide. The protections and rules around residential tenants are much tighter.
Budgeting for EICR inspections and remedial work
The cost of an EICR varies according to the size, age and condition of the property, the number of circuits, access to the installation and whether the electrical system has been altered over time. A straightforward modern flat will often take less time to inspect than a larger older house with several additions to the wiring.
The lowest quote is not always the best value. A proper inspection involves testing, observation, documentation and a report that clearly explains the outcome. If defects are found, a competent electrician should explain what needs doing, how urgent it is and provide a clear price for the remedial work.
Landlords should retain EICRs, remedial certificates, invoices and any electrical installation certificates in a dedicated property file. This makes it easier to demonstrate compliance, respond to a council request and give incoming tenants the documents they are entitled to receive.
Choosing the right electrician for a rental EICR
An EICR should be completed by a competent, suitably qualified electrician with the experience and test equipment needed to inspect the installation properly. Look for a contractor who provides clear reports, explains observations in plain English and can carry out any required remedial work to current standards.
Goodwin Electrical provides EICR inspections and electrical remedial work for landlords across Plymouth and the surrounding area. As an NICEIC-approved local contractor, the focus is on clear reporting, safe workmanship and practical advice that helps landlords keep properties compliant without unnecessary disruption.
A well-managed EICR is a straightforward investment in tenant safety and the long-term condition of the property. Plan for the cost, keep the paperwork in order and deal with any defects promptly – it is far easier than trying to resolve a safety issue or tenancy dispute after the event.