If you rent out residential property in Wales, you are legally required to ensure the electrical installation is safe and inspected at regular intervals. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2022 and the associated Fitness for Human Habitation standards place clear obligations on landlords — and the penalties for non-compliance are significant.
What Is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection and test of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It assesses the condition of the wiring, consumer unit, earthing, bonding, sockets, switches, and all permanent electrical components. The report grades each finding using observation codes — C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), and FI (further investigation required).
Legal Requirements for Welsh Landlords
- An EICR must be obtained before the start of a new occupation contract (tenancy)
- The EICR must be no more than 5 years old at the start of the contract
- A copy must be provided to the contract-holder (tenant) within 14 days
- The report must be carried out by a qualified and competent person
- Any C1 or C2 observations must be remediated within 28 days
- Evidence of remediation must be provided to the tenant and retained
What Happens If Your Property Fails?
An 'unsatisfactory' EICR result means the report contains one or more C1 or C2 observations. As a landlord, you must arrange for the issues to be rectified within 28 days. Common failures include outdated consumer units without RCD protection, deteriorated wiring insulation, inadequate earthing and bonding, and overloaded circuits.
We provide combined EICR + remediation services specifically for landlords. If your property fails, we can quote and schedule the remedial work immediately — often completing both the test and the repairs in the same visit or within a few days.
How Much Does an EICR Cost in Cardiff?
- 1–2 bed flat: £120 – £160
- 3-bed house: £150 – £200
- 4+ bed HMO: £200 – £300
- Remedial work (if needed): quoted separately based on findings
How Long Does an EICR Take?
A standard EICR for a 3-bed property takes approximately 2–3 hours. We issue the certificate on the same day — there is no waiting period. For landlords with multiple properties, we offer batch scheduling to minimise disruption and cost.
Need an EICR for your rental property? Same-day certification available. Call 0333 323 1998 or request a quote online.
Choosing a Qualified EICR Provider
Your EICR must be carried out by someone who is qualified and competent. In practice, this means a registered electrician with a recognised competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. Cardiff Electrical Home Rewire Ltd is NICEIC Approved — both as Domestic Installers and Approved Contractors — meaning our reports are independently verified and accepted by all local authorities and letting agents in Wales.