Question 1

1) What percentage of properties fail an EICR in London?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, a realistic expectation in London is that roughly four in ten properties fail their first EICR inspection. The number varies by property type, but the overall pattern is consistent across the city because so many buildings are older or have had piecemeal upgrades over the years. A “fail” usually does not mean the electrics are about to cause a fire tomorrow. It normally means the installation does not meet modern safety expectations, particularly around shock protection, earthing and bonding, or protective devices. If you want a straightforward breakdown of what the report actually means, this guide helps a lot: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/how-to-read-an-eicr-report-and-ensure-electrical-safety-in-london/

Question 2

2) Why are EICR failure rates increasing year after year?

Accepted Answer

Failure rates are climbing because compliance expectations are tightening, not because London properties suddenly got worse overnight. Councils are more active, landlords are under more scrutiny, and inspectors are less likely to “let things slide” that would have been overlooked years ago. The biggest driver is modern protection standards, especially where circuits don’t have additional protection such as RCDs, or where earthing and bonding is incomplete. Also, more properties now have higher electrical demand than their original circuits were designed for, which pushes borderline installations into the fail category once tested properly.

Question 3

3) Is “no RCD protection” really serious enough to fail an EICR?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons London properties fail. An RCD is designed to reduce the risk of fatal electric shock by disconnecting the supply extremely quickly when it detects an imbalance. Without RCD protection, a fault can exist where the system still “works”, but the risk to a person is much higher if something goes wrong. This is why absence of RCD protection is often coded as C2, meaning potentially dangerous. If you want the plain-English version of why this gets flagged, this page explains it properly: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/blog/is-no-rcd-a-fail-on-eicr/

Question 4

4) How much does it usually cost to fix a failed EICR in London?

Accepted Answer

Most failed EICRs do not turn into huge bills. In London, the majority of remedial work sits in a manageable range because a lot of failures are compliance upgrades rather than full rewires. Typical costs depend on what’s found and how accessible the work is, but many properties can be put right with corrections such as bonding upgrades, RCD improvements, consumer unit tidying, or replacing unsafe accessories. When the issues stack up, costs can climb, but it’s still usually far cheaper than the risk of enforcement action or an insurance problem. You can see a clear breakdown here: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-certificate-cost/

Question 5

5) Do older properties fail more often than new builds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it’s not because “old wiring is always bad.” Older properties fail more often because they frequently lack modern protective measures, or they’ve had partial upgrades that create inconsistencies. A flat might have a newer consumer unit but older circuits, or it may have had kitchen and bathroom works done without bringing the rest of the system up to the same standard. New builds typically have better baseline compliance because they were installed under more modern regulations, with RCD protection and better earthing arrangements from day one. Older properties can still pass, but they often need targeted upgrades to meet today’s expectations.

Question 6

6) What happens if a landlord ignores a failed EICR?

Accepted Answer

If a landlord receives an unsatisfactory EICR, they’re expected to complete the necessary remedial work within the legal timeframe and provide evidence that it’s been done. Ignoring it is not a “wait and see” situation because councils can enforce compliance and issue financial penalties, and repeated non-compliance can create bigger legal and licensing problems. The bigger risk is that if something goes wrong, an outdated or failed report can become a liability issue. If you want to understand enforcement in a practical way, this is worth reading: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/blog/how-london-councils-enforce-eicr/

Question 7

7) Can an EICR affect property insurance or claims?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and this is becoming more common. Insurers increasingly want to see that a property is maintained safely and that electrical risks are controlled. If there’s an electrical-related incident, insurers can ask for evidence that safety checks were done and that any serious issues were rectified. An EICR is one of the clearest ways to show you’ve managed that risk properly. This isn’t about scaring anyone, it’s about understanding how claims are assessed when something goes wrong. There’s a detailed explanation here: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/blog/the-role-of-eicr-certificates-in-property-insurance-london-eicr-inspection-services/

Question 8

8) How long does an EICR inspection take in London?

Accepted Answer

The time depends on the property size, number of circuits, accessibility, and whether the installation has been modified over the years. A small flat can often be completed within a few hours, while houses, HMOs, and commercial premises take longer because there are more circuits and more testing points. Another factor is access: if circuits cannot be isolated properly or boards are difficult to work on safely, inspection time can increase. If you want a realistic time guide that explains the “why,” it’s here: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/blog/how-long-does-an-eicr-take-london/

Question 9

9) Do I have to use the same company for remedial works after a failed EICR?

Accepted Answer

No, you’re not forced to use the same company for remedial works. You can choose another contractor, and some people do that if they already have someone they trust. The important thing is that the remedial work is done correctly and that evidence is provided so the report can be updated or a satisfactory outcome can be issued. If you’d like us to handle the remedials quickly after a failure, this is the page to use: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/remedial-work-for-failed-eicr-certificates/

Question 10

10) How can I reduce the chance of failing my next EICR?

Accepted Answer

The best way to reduce failure risk is to treat the EICR as planned maintenance rather than a last-minute compliance scramble. Most failures in London come down to predictable issues like missing RCD protection, incomplete bonding, outdated consumer units, and signs of unsafe past alterations. If you tackle those early, your next inspection is usually straightforward. If you want an inspection booked, or you want to speak to someone first about what to expect, start here: https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-services/.

Year	Failure Rate	Commentary
2023	34%	Regulation stabilisation
2024	37%	Increased enforcement
2025	41%	Stricter RCD interpretation
2026	43%	Compliance tightening

Property Type	Fail %	Key Risk Driver
Flats	32%	Legacy RCD absence
Houses	39%	Partial upgrades
HMOs	52%	Load & tenant alterations
Commercial	41%	Distribution modifications

Fault Type	Average Cost
Bonding correction	£120–£250
RCD addition	£180–£400
Board replacement	£650–£1,200
Multiple corrections	£300–£900

The Complete EICR Statistics Report 2026: Failure Rates, Common Faults & Real London Data