EICR Failed Due to Incorrect Circuit Labelling in London
EICR Certificate Cost for Landlords in London: 2025 Pricing Guide
20 September 2025
EICR Certificates,EICR Guide
✅ Introduction
Being a landlord in London means balancing compliance, costs, and tenant care. Among all the certificates and inspections required, one stands above the rest: the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
Without a valid EICR, you risk fines of up to £30,000 per property, invalidated landlord insurance, and most importantly putting your tenants’ safety at risk. But beyond compliance, landlords constantly ask one pressing question:
The answer varies, and too often, landlords are left confused by cheap offers that hide extras, or high-end quotes that seem inflated. This guide cuts through the noise with a clear, honest breakdown of real EICR costs for London landlords in 2025, supported by first-hand data from hundreds of inspections we carried out last year.
We’ll explore:
- ✅ Average EICR costs for landlords in London
- ✅ What factors push prices up or down
- ✅ How often landlords fail their EICR and what remedials cost
- ✅ Portfolio discounts for letting agents and landlords with multiple properties
- ✅ Smart ways to save money without cutting corners
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect, how to budget, and how to book your inspection with confidence.
👉 Need fast pricing? Use our EICR Certificate Cost Calculator
Why Every London Landlord Needs an EICR in 2025
The Legal Requirement (PRS Regulations)
Since April 2021, every rental property in England has legally required a valid EICR. Certificates must be renewed every 5 years, or at the start of each new tenancy.
London councils take this seriously. Failing to provide an up-to-date report can lead to fines of up to £30,000. In 2024, landlords in Tower Hamlets and Islington were fined thousands for failing to produce valid reports during licensing audits.
Insurance Protection
Landlord insurance policies also require valid EICRs. If an electrical fault leads to fire or damage, your insurer may refuse to pay out if you can’t show a current, satisfactory certificate.
Tenant Safety and Market Trust
Beyond compliance, an EICR builds tenant trust. Professional renters often ask for certificates before signing contracts. For HMOs and selective licensing boroughs, it’s an essential part of proving you run a safe property.
Average EICR Certificate Costs for Landlords in London (2025)
London landlords can expect to pay £135–£210 for a standard rental property EICR in 2025, depending on property size and circuits. HMOs and larger homes cost more.
2025 EICR Pricing Grid for Landlords
| Property Type | Fuse Boards | Typical Cost (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Flat | 1 board | £100 – £130 |
| 1-Bed Flat | 1 board | £135 – £155 |
| 2-Bed Flat | 2 boards | £150 – £170 |
| 3-Bed House | 2–3 boards | £170 – £210 |
| HMO (up to 6 rooms) | Multiple boards | £210 – £300+ |
👉 See more detail on our EICR Certificate Cost page.
📊 Our Data Insight (2024):
From 642 landlord inspections we carried out across London, the average cost for a 2-bed flat was £162 (including VAT and parking). Studios averaged £118, and HMOs averaged £247. These figures align closely with the grid above, showing how property type and fuse boards drive costs.
London vs UK Average Costs
Expect to pay £20–£40 more in London than elsewhere in the UK. Why?
- Congestion charge zones add £15 per visit.
- Parking scarcity means longer engineer times.
- Higher business overheads across the capital.
What Factors Affect EICR Costs for Landlords?
Number of Fuse Boards and Circuits
Every fuse board adds significant testing time. A small flat with one board is straightforward, while a three-storey HMO with three consumer units is more complex. Each extra board can add £40–£70.
Property Size and Age
Older London homes, especially in Hampstead, Kensington, and Islington, often feature outdated wiring. These take longer to inspect and have a higher failure rate. New builds, in contrast, are usually faster and cheaper.
Location and Access
- Central London = congestion and parking charges.
- Flats above shops or inside gated blocks can cause access delays.
- Empty properties are quicker to inspect than tenanted ones.
Urgency of Booking
Need an inspection in 24 hours? Expect to pay an additional £50–£100. Evening and weekend visits usually carry a 20% premium.
What Happens If Your Property Fails the EICR?
Not every landlord passes on the first attempt. In fact, 38% of London rental properties we inspected in 2024 failed their initial EICR.
Common Reasons for Failure
📊 Our Data Insight (2024):
The top three reasons for EICR failure among London rentals were:
- Missing RCD protection in bathrooms (41% of failures)
- Inadequate bonding on gas/water pipes (29%)
- Outdated consumer units lacking circuit protection (22%)
This means nearly 4 in 10 landlords will need some remedial work before receiving a “Satisfactory” certificate.
Typical Remedial Costs
| Remedial Work | Cost Range (London 2025) |
|---|---|
| RCBO upgrade | £120 – £160 each |
| Bonding upgrade | £120 – £200 |
| Consumer unit | £450 – £700 |
| Full rewiring | £3,000 – £6,000+ |
👉 More info: EICR Remedial Work Costs.
Re-Test Fees
Once remedials are completed, a re-test (usually £50–£100) is required before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
Portfolio Discounts for Landlords and Letting Agents
If you own multiple properties or manage them for clients, portfolio pricing is the best way to save.
How Portfolio Pricing Works
- 5+ properties: 5–10% discount.
- 10+ properties: bespoke pricing.
- Agency portfolios: service-level agreements (SLAs) for guaranteed turnaround.
📊 Our Data Insight (2024):
Portfolio landlords who booked with us saved an average of 14% compared to individual bookings. One letting agent with 12 flats in Battersea saved over £480 by booking in bulk.
Benefits for Agents and Landlords
- Single point of contact.
- Centralised invoicing.
- Digital certificates delivered same day.
- Option to pre-approve remedials for smoother workflow.
👉 More details: EICR Certificates for Landlords.
How to Save Money on Your Landlord EICR
Book Early
Don’t leave it to the last minute. Early bookings mean better availability and fewer “emergency” fees.
Prepare the Property
Give engineers easy access:
- Ensure tenants provide keys.
- Clear furniture blocking sockets.
- Inform tenants of the visit in advance.
Bundle Services
Landlords often combine:
- EICR + PAT Testing
- EICR + EPC
Bundling can save £50–£100 per property.
Choose Certified Providers Only
Always use NICEIC or NAPIT electricians. Unregistered providers may leave you with an invalid certificate that councils and insurers won’t accept.
Case Studies: Real Landlords, Real Costs
Fulham One-Bed Flat
Cost: £145 (including VAT and parking). Passed first time, certificate emailed same day.
Hackney 3-Bed HMO
Initial inspection: £230. Failed due to bonding issues and old fuse board. Remedials: £560. Re-test: £70. Final cost: £860.
Battersea Portfolio of 12 Flats
Negotiated rate: £120 per flat. All inspections completed within a week, saving nearly £500 compared to standard pricing.
✅ FAQs – EICR Cost for Landlords
📌 How much does an EICR cost for landlords in London in 2025?
In 2025, most London landlords can expect to pay between £135 and £210 for an EICR on a standard rental property. Larger houses and HMOs tend to cost more, often £210 to £300 or higher, because of additional circuits and fuse boards. From the 642 inspections we completed in 2024, we found the average cost of a 2-bedroom flat in London was around £162 including VAT and parking.
📌 What factors affect the cost of an EICR in London?
The cost of an EICR depends on a few main factors. Larger properties and those with more fuse boards naturally take longer and therefore cost more. The age and condition of the wiring is also important, as older installations often require more time to inspect. Location also matters, with properties inside the congestion charge zone or areas with limited parking incurring higher costs. Finally, urgent same-day or weekend bookings usually come with a premium fee.
📌 How often do landlords need an EICR?
Landlords must renew their EICR certificate at least every five years. However, if a tenancy changes before the five-year period is up, a new certificate is required at the start of the tenancy. In some boroughs, HMOs are subject to stricter licensing rules that require more frequent checks, so landlords should always confirm with their local council.
📌 What happens if a property fails its EICR?
If a rental property fails its EICR, the electrician will issue an Unsatisfactory report that lists the problems found. Common issues include missing RCD protection, inadequate bonding, or outdated fuse boards. These issues must be corrected by carrying out remedial work. Once repairs are complete, the property needs a re-test, which usually costs between £50 and £100, before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
📌 What are typical remedial work costs for landlords in London?
The cost of remedial work varies depending on the fault, but in London most landlords can expect to pay between £120 and £160 for an RCBO installation, around £120 to £200 for bonding upgrades, and £450 to £700 for a new consumer unit. Full rewires are rare but can cost £3,000 or more. Our 2024 inspection data showed that 38 percent of properties failed on their first attempt, so landlords should always budget for the possibility of remedial works.
📌 How long does an EICR inspection take?
On average, a studio flat inspection takes just over an hour, while a one-bedroom flat usually takes about an hour and a half. For a three-bedroom house, the process typically lasts between two and three hours, and for a small HMO, the inspection can take closer to four hours. Landlords should plan tenant access accordingly, as properties with more circuits or older wiring may take longer.
📌 Can landlords use an old EICR certificate when renting a property?
No. EICR certificates are only valid for five years and must be in date when tenants move in. Certificates provided during the purchase of a property, or ones that have expired, are not acceptable for rental compliance. Landlords must always provide tenants with a current satisfactory EICR to remain compliant.
📌 Who is allowed to carry out an EICR for landlords?
Only qualified and competent electricians can legally issue EICR certificates. In practice, this means hiring an engineer who is registered with a recognised body such as NICEIC or NAPIT. Using someone unregistered can leave you with a report that is invalid, which councils and insurers may reject.
📌 What are the risks if landlords don’t have a valid EICR?
Without a valid EICR, landlords risk fines of up to £30,000 per property, potential rent repayment orders from tenants, and invalidated insurance cover if an electrical fault causes damage. Councils can also refuse licensing applications, which means landlords may legally be unable to let out their properties until compliance is achieved.
📌 Can landlords save money on EICRs in London?
Yes. The best ways to save are by booking early, as last-minute inspections often carry premium charges, and by ensuring the property is ready for inspection so engineers do not waste time with access problems. Many landlords also save by bundling services such as EICR, PAT testing, and EPCs. Those with multiple properties can usually access portfolio discounts, which in our 2024 data saved landlords an average of 14 percent compared with booking inspections individually.
🚀 Why Choose London EICR Certificates
- ✅ NICEIC-certified electricians
- ✅ Transparent, fixed pricing
- ✅ Same-day digital certificates
- ✅ Coverage across all London boroughs
- ✅ Trusted by more than 2,000 landlords
We specialise in working with London landlords, from single properties to entire portfolios.
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