EICR Fixed wire testing
EICR Certificate in Northamptonshire
We provide Electrical Installation Condition Reports for rental homes, HMOs and managed properties across the county. Get a clear record of your fixed wiring’s condition, any action needed and the recommended next inspection date.
Tell us the property type, postcode and any inspection deadline.
- Fixed installation
- Consumer units, wiring, sockets, lighting, earthing and bonding.
- Rental homes: up to 5 years
- For tenancies covered by the regulations; sooner if the report requires it.
- Clear written findings
- The inspection result, observations and recommended next steps.
One property or a portfolio
EICR inspections for Northamptonshire properties
An EICR assesses the condition of the fixed electrical installation within the agreed extent and limitations of the inspection. Often called an “EICR certificate”, it records whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use and identifies issues needing attention.
Who we provide EICRs for
- Private landlords
- Letting agents
- Property management companies
- Housing associations
- Social housing providers
- Estate managers
- Block management companies
- Commercial landlords
Property types we inspect
- Rental houses and flats
- Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
- Apartment blocks
- Student accommodation
- Social housing and sheltered housing
- Supported and temporary accommodation
- Managed property portfolios
- Build-to-rent developments
Landlords and letting agents
Arrange an inspection for a rental house or flat, review a report before a new tenancy, or plan your next inspection. We provide written findings you can share with your tenant or managing agent.
Read the landlord requirementsHMOs and shared accommodation
For Houses in Multiple Occupation, agree the rooms, shared areas and electrical supplies to be inspected. Tell us about access arrangements and any relevant property-licence conditions.
See how to prepare for testingHousing associations and property managers
Plan inspections for individual homes, managed blocks or a portfolio. Provide the property list, existing reports and deadlines so the inspection scope and resident access can be discussed.
Read the social housing noteHomeowners and business premises
Buying a home or concerned about older wiring? An EICR can help establish its condition. For a business or mixed-use building, contact us to discuss the installation and inspection scope.
Understand the different inspection intervalsA quote for your installation
How much does an EICR cost in Northamptonshire?
The cost depends on the number of circuits and consumer units, the property’s size and use, and the access needed for testing. A small flat, an HMO and a building with several distribution boards can require very different amounts of work.
Send your property details for an EICR quote. Ask for the inspection scope, price and any exclusions in writing, including whether VAT applies. Remedial work should be identified and agreed separately.
What to include in your enquiry
- Property address and Northamptonshire postcode.
- House, flat, HMO, commercial or mixed-use property.
- Number of consumer units and circuits, if known.
- Previous EICR and any known electrical concerns.
- Tenant or key-holder access and your preferred dates.
If you are unsure about the circuit count, a photograph of the closed consumer unit can help. Do not remove covers.
What the inspection covers
What is checked during an EICR?
The electrician combines visual inspection with appropriate electrical tests. The checks assess the installation’s condition and protective measures, with the extent of testing and any limitations recorded in the report.
Incoming supply and earthing arrangements
The inspection considers accessible supply equipment, meter tails and the main earthing arrangements. Visible damage, signs of overheating and other concerns relevant to the installation are recorded.
Fixed wiring, sockets and lighting circuits
Accessible wiring, terminations, sockets, switches and lighting points are inspected for deterioration or damage. Appropriate continuity, insulation resistance and polarity tests help assess the condition of the circuits.
Consumer units and protective devices
The electrician checks the consumer unit, circuit identification and protective devices. Appropriate earth fault loop impedance and RCD tests help assess the protective measures. Age alone does not determine the EICR result.
Distribution boards in larger properties
Properties with multiple boards or more complex installations need an agreed inspection scope. Board condition, circuit protection, identification and relevant test results are considered and recorded.
Switchgear, enclosures and isolation
Accessible switches, enclosures and isolation arrangements are examined for visible deterioration and other safety concerns. The report records relevant observations together with any access or inspection limitations.
Domestic installations: fuse boxes and lighting
EICR and PAT testing cover different things. An EICR concerns the fixed electrical installation. PAT testing concerns electrical appliances and equipment. One does not replace the other. See our PAT testing for landlords and rental properties.
From enquiry to report
How your EICR inspection works
Agree the scope and access
Share the property details and previous report. Confirm what is included, the appointment arrangements and the expected reporting timescale before booking.
Inspect and test
Arrange safe access to the consumer unit, rooms and relevant outbuildings. Circuits need to be switched off for parts of the testing, so tell us about equipment that must stay powered.
Receive and act on the findings
Your written EICR records the result, observations, test information and recommended next inspection date. Any required investigation or remedial work is explained separately.
Planning an occupied-property visit? Let tenants know that testing involves power interruptions. Discuss medical equipment, alarms, IT systems and access restrictions in advance so the visit can be planned properly.
Understanding your report
EICR codes: C1, C2, C3 and FI explained
The overall assessment tells you whether the installation is satisfactory for continued use. The observation codes explain the action needed; read them alongside the report’s limitations and recommendations.
- C1
- Danger present
Immediate action is needed to make the danger safe. Do not wait for a routine repairs appointment.
- C2
- Potentially dangerous
Urgent remedial action is needed to address the identified risk.
- C3
- Improvement recommended
An improvement is advised. A C3 observation alone does not make the overall report unsatisfactory.
- FI
- Further investigation
Follow the report’s wording, urgency and the inspector’s advice. The effect on the overall assessment depends on the report format and edition used.
C1 and C2 observations make the overall result unsatisfactory. Where the report requires further investigation, arrange that follow-up; do not assume an unresolved issue is safe.
FI wording changed in the 2026 wiring-regulations update. See the IET explanation of further investigation.
What if repairs are needed? Keep the original EICR and obtain the appropriate written confirmation or certification for completed work. A full replacement EICR is not automatically needed after every repair. Ask what evidence is required for your installation and tenancy.
Rental property requirements in England
How often do landlords need an EICR?
For tenancies covered by England’s electrical safety regulations, arrange inspection and testing at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter interval.
Give people the report on time
- Existing tenants: within 28 days of inspection and testing.
- New tenants: before they occupy the property.
- Prospective tenants: within 28 days of a written request.
- The local council: within seven days of its request.
Complete required follow-up
Where the report requires remedial or further investigative work, ensure it is completed by a qualified person within 28 days of the inspection and testing, or within any shorter period stated in the report. Immediate danger needs immediate action.
Obtain written confirmation of the completed work. Provide it with the report to existing tenants and the local council within 28 days of completion.
These duties depend on the tenancy and any applicable exemption. Read Regulation 3 and the government guidance for private and social rented housing.
Social housing: check the transition deadline
The regulations now extend to social rented housing. For relevant social tenancies granted before 1 December 2025, the transitional deadline for the first required installation inspection and relevant landlord-provided equipment checks is before 1 November 2026. The installation report and equipment checks are separate parts of the requirements. See the 2025 amending regulations, regulation 7 (PDF).
Local EICR coverage
Areas we cover in Northamptonshire
We arrange EICR inspections across Northamptonshire, including Northampton, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Daventry. Contact PAT Testing Northampton with the property postcode to discuss access, scope and availability.
- Northampton
- Kettering
- Corby
- Wellingborough
- Daventry
- Rushden
- Towcester
- Brackley
- Raunds
- Desborough
- Oundle
- Rothwell
- Irthlingborough
- Burton Latimer
- Higham Ferrers
- Earls Barton
For village properties and portfolios spread across the county, send the full addresses with your enquiry. This helps us discuss the practical arrangements for each installation.
How often should homeowners arrange testing?
Electrical Safety First recommends inspection and testing at least every ten years for owner-occupied homes. An earlier check may be appropriate when buying a previously occupied property or if you have electrical concerns. This is a recommendation, distinct from the rules for rented homes.
What about commercial premises?
Inspection intervals depend on the installation’s use, condition and risk of deterioration. There is no single five-year legal rule for every workplace. HSE guidance explains that testing should be frequent enough to prevent deterioration leading to danger.
Before you book
Northamptonshire EICR questions answered
“Electrical safety certificate” is a broad everyday term. An EICR records the condition of an existing electrical installation. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) records new installation work, such as a complete rewire. Ask which document is appropriate for the property and the work carried out.
Allow time for visual inspection and electrical testing, including power interruptions. The duration depends on the circuits, distribution boards, access and findings. Send the property details for an estimate before booking; larger properties and HMOs can need more time.
Yes, circuits need to be isolated for parts of the inspection and testing. Agree the arrangements beforehand and tell the electrician about equipment that needs a continuous supply. Do not assume the power interruption will be limited to a few minutes.
Access can be arranged through an agreed tenant, agent or key holder. Confirm who can provide access, any locked rooms or outbuildings, and how the electrician can contact the person authorised to make decisions about the property.
No. Age alone does not determine the result. The electrician assesses the installation’s condition, protection and any risks. Observations should explain the issue and its classification. See the IET guidance on existing installations and updated standards.
A change of tenant does not by itself mean a new EICR is always needed. Check the report remains current, any required work is complete, and the installation meets the required standards before occupation. Give the incoming tenant the relevant report and completion evidence.
Confirm the reporting timescale when you book. The EICR records the inspection findings, including an unsatisfactory result where applicable. Required investigation or repairs and their completion documents are handled separately. Follow the deadlines and advice in the report.
We can discuss a quote for work identified by your EICR. Send the complete report so the observations and scope can be reviewed. Agree the work and price before it starts, and keep the resulting completion documents with your original report.
What you receive
What We Provide in Your EICR Inspection
Your inspection combines checks of the fixed electrical installation with a written report and clear next steps. We agree the extent of the inspection, access and any limitations before work begins.
Thorough, Rigorous Testing
We inspect the accessible fixed wiring, consumer units, sockets, light fittings, earthing and bonding within the agreed scope. Appropriate inspection and testing includes:
- Continuity, insulation resistance and polarity checks
- Earth fault loop impedance, RCD and functional tests
- Inspection of earthing, bonding and circuit protection
- Checks for damage, deterioration and signs of overheating
- Review of visible alterations and additions to the wiring
Detailed Documentation
Your EICR records the condition found during the inspection. The report explains the findings and the agreed scope, including any limitations. You receive:
- Written EICR (PDF) with inspection and test information
- Clear observations and explanations of any classification codes
- Supporting photographs and technical notes where needed
- Overall assessment and recommended date for the next inspection
Comprehensive List of Recommended Works
We explain the observations and priorities so you can plan any follow-up. Remedial work or further investigation is quoted and agreed separately from the inspection:
- Priorities for remedial work and any further investigation
- Recommended improvements distinguished from urgent action
- An explanation of the report’s codes and stated timescales
- No-obligation quote for remedial work, if required
Arrange your inspection
Get your Northamptonshire EICR quote
Send your property postcode, property type and preferred dates to PAT Testing Northampton. If you have a previous EICR or an approaching deadline, include those details so we can discuss the right next step.
Looking for appliance testing too? Explore our Northampton PAT testing service and PAT testing FAQs.
