EICR Failed Due to Overloaded Circuits – What It Means & How to Fix It
Who Is Responsible for the EICR: Landlord or Tenant? London Guide
11 December 2025
Compliance and Regulations,EICR Certificates,EICR Guide
Who Is Responsible for the EICR in London?
The Full 2025 Landlord vs Tenant Guide
When it comes to renting a property in London, there’s a lot of confusion around one simple question:
Who is legally responsible for arranging and paying for the EICR the landlord or the tenant?
Let’s cut straight to it:
The landlord is 100 percent responsible for the EICR. Always. No exceptions.
But the real world is messy. Tenants refuse access. Certificates expire mid-tenancy. Remedial work becomes urgent. HMOs have extra rules. Commercial leases divide responsibilities differently. And misunderstandings can lead to fines of up to £30,000.
This guide breaks everything down so clearly that no landlord, agent, or tenant will ever need to Google it again.
What Exactly Is an EICR and Why Does It Matter?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a legal electrical safety inspection that checks:
The condition of wiring
Fuse boards (consumer units)
Sockets, switches, light fittings
Earthing and bonding
Fire-risk electrical hazards
Any defects that could cause shock, burns, or fire
If issues are found, they are coded as:
C1 – Danger present, immediate action required
C2 – Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action needed
FI – Further investigation required
Any of these fail the EICR until fixed.
To understand EICR costs in London, visit:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-certificate-cost/
Who Is Responsible for the EICR: Landlord or Tenant?
Legal Responsibility: Landlord Always
Under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, the landlord must:
✔ Arrange the EICR
✔ Pay for the EICR
✔ Complete remedial work
✔ Provide a copy to the tenant
✔ Renew the certificate every 5 years
✔ Ensure the property is electrically safe throughout the tenancy
The tenant never has a legal duty to obtain or pay for an EICR.
If the tenant asks:
“No mate, not your job. This is on the landlord every time.”
For full landlord guidance:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-certificates-for-landlords-in-london/
Can a Tenant Ever Be Charged for an EICR?
Technically… no.
But here’s the nuance:
A tenant may be charged if:
They cause damage that results in EICR failure
They refuse access and cause additional attendances
They modify electrical installations without permission
Otherwise, the cost of:
Inspection
Certification
Remedial work
…is always the landlord’s responsibility.
For homeowner inspections (if they want one voluntarily):
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-certificates-for-homeowners-in-london/
What If a Tenant Refuses Access?
This is where responsibilities overlap in real life.
The tenant must allow access for repairs and legal safety checks.
If they refuse:
✔ Landlord must show attempts to arrange access
✔ Keep WhatsApp/email evidence
✔ Offer flexible time windows
✔ Notify the tenant that refusal breaches tenancy terms
If the landlord has made “all reasonable efforts,” the council cannot fine the landlord for not completing the EICR.
However, we recommend documenting everything so the landlord is covered.
What Happens When an EICR Fails?
If an EICR comes back Unsatisfactory, the landlord has:
🕒 28 days (or sooner if the inspector states) to fix issues.
The landlord must:
Complete remedial work
Obtain written confirmation of completion
Provide proof to the tenant and local authority
Tenants do not organise or pay for any of this work unless they personally caused the damage.
Need remedial work?
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/remedial-work-for-failed-eicr-certificates/
EICR Responsibility for HMOs
HMOs operate under stricter rules.
Landlords must ensure:
✔ EICR every 5 years
✔ Common areas are electrically safe
✔ Individual rooms are safe
✔ Remedial work is completed on time
Tenants still have zero responsibility for booking the EICR.
HMO landlord guide:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/hmo-eicr-certificates-in-london/
When Is a New EICR Required?
A landlord must get a new EICR:
1️⃣ Every 5 years
2️⃣ Before a new tenant moves in (if the existing EICR is expired)
3️⃣ If major electrical work has been completed
4️⃣ After fire, flood, or structural damage that may affect electrics
If a tenant moves in with no EICR provided that’s illegal.
Who Holds Responsibility in Commercial Properties?
This is the only scenario where rules change.
In commercial leases:
Some tenants (businesses) are responsible
Some landlords are
Some split the responsibility
It depends entirely on the lease agreement.
Commercial EICR info:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/commercial-eicr-certificates-in-london/
Penalties for Landlords Who Fail to Complete an EICR
London councils enforce EICR regulations aggressively.
Fines can reach:
💷 £30,000 for non-compliance
💷 Additional penalties for incomplete remedials
💷 Insurance refusal after an incident
Most fines occur because the landlord:
❌ Didn’t know the law
❌ Forgot to renew the certificate
❌ Failed to complete remedial work
❌ Didn’t provide the certificate to tenants
This blog alone already puts you ahead of most landlords.
Why Tenants Often Think They’re Responsible
It usually comes down to:
✔ Miscommunication
✔ Agencies sending unclear emails
✔ Landlords asking tenants to coordinate access
✔ Confusion with appliance PAT tests
Let’s be clear:
Tenants never book, organise, or pay for an EICR.
They only need to provide access.
How Much Does an EICR Cost for Landlords in London?
London EICR prices vary depending on:
Property size
Number of circuits
Fuse board complexity
Access conditions
Typical pricing:
Studio – from £99
1 Bed – from £119
2 Bed – from £139
3+ Bed – from £159
Full price breakdown:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/eicr-certificate-cost/
How to Book an EICR Quickly in London
We make it dead simple:
✔ Certified NICEIC electricians
✔ Fast 24-hour reporting
✔ Clear remedial quotes
✔ Digital certificates
✔ Weekend and same-day appointments
Book instantly here:
👉 https://londoneicrcertificates.co.uk/book-online/
Final Verdict: Who Is Responsible for the EICR?
Here’s the short, no-nonsense, lawyer-approved answer:
**The landlord is always responsible.
The tenant is never responsible.
The landlord pays.
The tenant must allow access.**
If you’re a landlord and want zero stress, fast booking, and certified engineers, we’ve got you:
1. Is the landlord or tenant legally responsible for getting the EICR?
The landlord is legally responsible for arranging, paying for, and renewing the EICR. Tenants have zero responsibility for booking or paying for the inspection.
2. Do tenants need to pay for an EICR in London?
No. Tenants should never pay for an EICR. The law states the cost must always be covered by the landlord, even if the tenant is long-term or renewing their tenancy.
3. What happens if a tenant refuses access for the EICR inspection?
If a tenant refuses access, the landlord must show evidence of reasonable attempts to arrange a visit. If access is repeatedly denied, enforcement action cannot be taken against the landlord, but the tenant may be in breach of their tenancy agreement.
4. When is a landlord required to renew an EICR?
A landlord must renew the EICR every 5 years, or sooner if the report recommends it. A new EICR must also be provided before a new tenant moves in if the previous one has expired.
5. Who pays for remedial work if the EICR fails?
The landlord is responsible for all remedial work identified in an EICR. The only exception is if tenant-caused damage leads to failure in that case, the cost can be recharged to the tenant.
6. Does a tenant need to receive a copy of the EICR?
Yes. Landlords must provide a copy of the EICR to new tenants before they move in and to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection being completed.
7. Is an EICR required between every tenancy?
Not necessarily. If the EICR is still valid (less than 5 years old), it does not need to be repeated for a new tenant. However, many landlords choose to renew it proactively for peace of mind.
8. Are EICRs mandatory for HMOs?
Yes. HMOs require a valid EICR every 5 years. The landlord or HMO licence holder must arrange and pay for the inspection. Tenants in HMOs have no EICR responsibilities.
9. Do commercial tenants have to get their own EICR?
Commercial leases vary. Some tenants are responsible, some landlords are, and some share responsibility. For residential properties, the rule is always the same the landlord is responsible.
10. What are the penalties if a landlord does not complete an EICR?
Local authorities can issue fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance. Landlords may also face invalid insurance claims and legal issues if an electrical incident occurs without a valid EICR.
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EICR Certificates,EICR Inspection
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