EICR Services · Cardiff & South Wales
Electrical Inspection
Condition Reports
in Cardiff
Know the exact condition of your property's electrical system with a thorough, BS 7671–compliant EICR — typically completed in 2–4 hours with a detailed report issued the same day.
5.0 from 40+ reviews · Same-day reports · NICEIC ApprovedWhat Is an EICR and Who Needs One?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection and testing of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It assesses whether the wiring, consumer unit, earthing, bonding, sockets, switches, and protective devices are safe, functional, and compliant with current standards.
An EICR is a legal requirement for landlords in England and Wales — all rental properties must have a valid EICR before new tenancies begin and at intervals of no more than 5 years. Homeowners are advised to have an EICR every 10 years, and properties changing ownership should have a current report to satisfy buyer surveys and mortgage requirements.
The inspection involves visual examination of all accessible parts of the installation, testing of circuits including insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times, and verification of earthing and bonding arrangements. The resulting report classifies any defects using a standardised coding system — C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), and FI (further investigation required).
At Cardiff Electrical Home Rewire Ltd, our NICEIC-qualified inspectors carry out thorough, honest EICRs across Cardiff and the surrounding areas. We explain findings clearly, provide practical recommendations, and can carry out any remedial work identified — often during the same visit for minor issues.
- Full visual inspection of the fixed electrical installation
- Testing of all circuits to BS 7671 standards
- Verification of earthing, bonding, and protective devices
- Detailed report with coded observations and recommendations
- Same-day report issue for straightforward inspections
- Remedial work available immediately where needed
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What Happens Without a Valid EICR?
Operating without a valid EICR — whether as a landlord, homeowner, or property buyer — creates legal, financial, and safety risks that escalate over time.
Landlord Legal Liability
Landlords who fail to provide a valid EICR face fines of up to £30,000 per breach and potential criminal prosecution if a tenant is injured by an electrical fault in a non-inspected property.
Insurance Claim Rejection
Insurance providers can reject claims for electrical damage or fire if the property does not have a valid EICR. This applies to both landlords and owner-occupiers.
Hidden Safety Defects
Electrical faults are often invisible — deteriorating insulation, loose connections, and inadequate earthing cannot be detected without proper testing. An EICR reveals these issues before they cause harm.
Failed Property Sales
Buyer conveyancers and mortgage lenders increasingly require a satisfactory EICR as a condition of sale. A failed or missing report delays transactions and creates costly renegotiations.
Tenant Disputes
Tenants can report landlords to local authorities for failing to provide a valid EICR. This triggers enforcement action, mandatory remedial works, and potential financial penalties.
Escalating Repair Costs
Electrical defects identified early through regular EICRs are significantly cheaper to resolve than faults that are left to deteriorate until they cause damage or require emergency intervention.
How It Works
Our EICR Inspection Process
Schedule
We arrange a convenient time for the inspection, typically requiring 2–4 hours depending on the size and complexity of the property.
Visual Inspection
We examine all accessible parts of the installation — consumer unit, sockets, switches, cable routes, earthing, and bonding arrangements.
Circuit Testing
Every circuit is tested for insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, polarity, and RCD trip times using calibrated instruments.
Report & Findings
We compile a detailed EICR with coded observations, an overall assessment, and clear recommendations for any remedial work.
Remedial Work
If defects are found, we can carry out remedial work immediately or schedule it promptly — often resolving issues before they become compliance problems.
Why Choose Us
Benefits of Regular EICR Testing
Legal Compliance
A valid EICR satisfies landlord obligations under the Electrical Safety Standards regulations and provides evidence of due diligence for property owners.
Early Fault Detection
Testing identifies deteriorating insulation, loose connections, and inadequate protection before they cause fires, shocks, or equipment damage.
Insurance Protection
A current EICR demonstrates that the installation has been professionally assessed, supporting insurance claims and preventing policy complications.
Sale & Letting Ready
A satisfactory EICR removes one of the most common obstacles in property transactions and tenancy arrangements.
Clear Remedial Roadmap
The coded observation system provides a prioritised list of issues — C1 and C2 defects requiring immediate attention, C3 recommendations for future improvement.
Peace of Mind
Knowing the exact condition of your electrical system — confirmed by qualified inspection — eliminates uncertainty about hidden risks.
EICR: In-Depth Technical Guide
EICR Observation Codes Explained
The EICR uses a standardised coding system to classify defects. C1 indicates 'Danger Present' — an immediate risk requiring urgent action. C2 indicates 'Potentially Dangerous' — a defect that is likely to become dangerous and should be rectified promptly. C3 indicates 'Improvement Recommended' — not a current safety risk but an upgrade that would improve the installation. FI indicates 'Further Investigation Required' — a potential issue that could not be fully assessed during the inspection and needs additional investigation. An installation receives an overall 'Satisfactory' or 'Unsatisfactory' rating based on the presence of C1 or C2 defects.
Testing Methods and Instruments
A proper EICR requires calibrated multifunction test instruments meeting BS EN 61557 standards. Tests include continuity of protective conductors, insulation resistance at 500V DC on power circuits and 250V DC on ELV circuits, earth fault loop impedance at each point of utilisation, prospective fault current at the origin, and RCD trip times at rated and 5x rated current. We use regularly calibrated Megger and Metrel instruments and record all test results on BS 7671 Schedule of Test Results forms.
Landlord EICR Requirements
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 and the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, landlords must ensure that electrical installations are inspected and tested by a qualified person at intervals of no more than 5 years, the first EICR is obtained before any new tenancy commences, a copy of the report is provided to tenants within 28 days, and any C1 or C2 defects are rectified within 28 days or as specified. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 per breach.
Homeowner EICR Guidance
While EICRs are not legally mandatory for owner-occupiers, the IET recommends testing every 10 years for domestic properties. An EICR is particularly advisable when purchasing a property, before major renovations, after any electrical incident, or when the installation is over 25 years old. Many mortgage lenders now require a satisfactory EICR as part of their valuation conditions, particularly for older properties.
Common EICR Failures in Cardiff Properties
In our experience testing properties across Cardiff, the most common EICR failures include lack of RCD protection on socket circuits (pre-2008 installations), outdated consumer units with rewirable fuses or plastic enclosures, inadequate main earthing conductor sizes, missing or deteriorated supplementary bonding in bathrooms and kitchens, damaged or deteriorating cable insulation in older properties, and incorrect polarity on sockets or lighting circuits. Many of these issues can be resolved quickly and cost-effectively once identified.
EICR for Commercial Properties
Commercial properties have additional EICR requirements including more frequent testing intervals (typically every 5 years or less depending on the type of premises), compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, consideration of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and specific requirements for different workplace categories. We carry out commercial EICRs for offices, retail premises, and small business properties across Cardiff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
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Get a free, no-obligation quote. We respond within the working day and can typically schedule your initial visit within 48 hours.
NICEIC Approved · 20+ Years Experience · 5.0 Google Rating