Quick answer: no, homeowners are not legally required to have an EICR. The 2020 regulations that kicked in for landlords don't apply to owner-occupiers. That said, an EICR is one of the cheapest pieces of peace-of-mind you can buy — and there are a handful of moments in a home's life when it's genuinely worth it.
When it's worth the £149
- You've just bought. The surveyor's report says "wiring appears adequate" but didn't actually test anything. An EICR is the only way to know what you've actually bought.
- You're about to sell. A satisfactory EICR in the pack is a quiet conversation-ender with nervous buyers.
- You've had a renovation. Builders are honest most of the time, but an EICR after any electrical work verifies what was actually done.
- Your insurer has asked for one. Some higher-value home insurance policies do. Read the small print.
- You're starting to notice things. Warm plugs, occasional trips, flickering downlights. An EICR diagnoses the pattern.
When it probably isn't
- You had one in the last five years and nothing has changed.
- You're about to fully rewire anyway — the rewire comes with its own certificate.
- The house is a new-build with an EICR or EIC already in the pack.
What the result actually means
If your report comes back "satisfactory", brilliant — everything's in working order and there's nothing urgent to do. "Unsatisfactory" doesn't mean the sky is falling; it means there's at least one observation we'd like you to address, and we'll give you a separate estimate to fix it. Most remedials are quick and cheap.
If you're in Watford, Rickmansworth, Harrow or anywhere inside the 10-mile circle, give us a call and we'll find a slot that fits around you.
