EICR Certificates in Slough
I provide EICR certificates in Slough for landlords, homebuyers and homeowners. Thorough electrical inspection and testing by a Part P registered electrician, with a clear written report you can rely on.
What Is an EICR?
An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a full health check of the fixed wiring in a property. I test every circuit, socket, switch and connection to find faults, damage and anything that no longer meets the current wiring standard.
At the end you get a written certificate that states whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory, along with a coded list of anything I found. A typical domestic report takes two to four hours, and the certificate is yours to keep, hand to tenants, or pass to a buyer.
Every EICR I issue is carried out and signed off by a Part P registered electrician working to the current edition of BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations.
What I Inspect
- Consumer unit and main switch
- All circuit breakers, RCDs and RCBOs
- Socket outlets, switches and fixed connections
- Fixed appliances and hard-wired circuits
- Earthing and bonding arrangements
- Insulation resistance of the wiring
- Earth fault loop impedance
- Signs of overheating, damage or overloading
The EICR Codes Explained
Every issue on an EICR gets a code. The codes are simple once you know them, and they decide whether your report comes back satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If any other term on your report is unfamiliar, the plain-English glossary covers the lot.
Danger present
Risk of injury exists right now. This makes a report unsatisfactory and needs putting right immediately, often before I even leave.
Potentially dangerous
Not an immediate danger, but it could become one. A C2 makes the report unsatisfactory and remedial work is required.
Improvement recommended
The installation is not dangerous, but it falls short of the current standard. A C3 on its own still gives a satisfactory report.
Further investigation
Something needs looking into further before its safety can be confirmed. An FI also makes a report unsatisfactory until resolved.
Landlord EICR Certificates
If you rent out property in England, an EICR is not optional. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords must have the electrical installation inspected and tested at least every 5 years, and before a new tenancy begins. If the report recommends a shorter interval, that shorter interval applies instead.
Once the report is done you must give a copy to your tenants within 28 days, and to the local council within 7 days if they ask for it. If the report is unsatisfactory, any remedial work has to be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, with written confirmation that the installation is now safe. Slough Borough Council can serve notice and arrange the work themselves if a landlord does not act, and recover the cost.
Slough has one of the busiest rental markets in the Thames Valley, with a large stock of shared houses and HMOs across Chalvey, Britwell and the streets around Salt Hill. HMOs often carry extra licensing conditions on top of the national rules, so keeping a current EICR on file protects you from enforcement and keeps tenancies moving. I work with landlords and letting agents right across Slough, and in nearby Langley and Hayes where rental demand runs high, and can turn reports around quickly.
Note: these duties apply to privately rented homes in England. The rules for Wales and Scotland are different, so if your property is outside England, ask me and I will point you to the right requirement.
EICR for Homebuyers and Homeowners
Buying a house is the one time you really want to know what is behind the walls. A normal homebuyer survey does not test the electrics, so an older property in Langley, Datchet or the leafier parts of Slough can look perfect and still be hiding a tired consumer unit or decades-old wiring. An EICR gives you the real picture before you exchange, and a set of coded findings you can use to negotiate.
Homeowners benefit too. If your home is more than about ten years old, or you have never had it checked, an EICR tells you whether the wiring is still safe and where it might need attention. It is also worth doing before you extend, add a kitchen or take on a big appliance load, so you know the installation can handle it.
Whatever the reason, you get the same thorough test and the same clear written report, with any issues explained in plain language rather than jargon.
How the Inspection Works
Visual Inspection
I check all accessible parts of the installation for damage, wear, overheating and unsafe alterations.
Dead Testing
With the power isolated I test insulation resistance, earth continuity and polarity across every circuit.
Live Testing
I re-energise and measure earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation to confirm real-world protection works.
Full Report
You get a written EICR with every reading, any coded observations, and a clear satisfactory or unsatisfactory verdict.
Why Get an EICR?
Spot Hazards Early
Find electrical faults before they cause a fire or a shock.
Meet the Law
Give landlords and property managers the compliance document they are legally required to hold.
Real Peace of Mind
Know exactly what condition your wiring is in, backed by measured readings.
Protect Property Value
A clean report gives buyers and tenants confidence in the home.
Common Questions
How much does an EICR cost in Slough?
There is no fixed price. The cost of an EICR depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits and the age of the installation. A one-bedroom flat with a single consumer unit takes far less time than a large HMO with multiple boards, so I never quote blind. Call me and I will give you a free, no-obligation quote for your specific property.
What is an EICR certificate?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal document produced after a qualified electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation in a property. It records the overall condition, lists any defects with their severity code, and states whether the installation is satisfactory or unsatisfactory for continued use.
How often do I need an EICR as a landlord?
In England, private landlords must have a valid EICR carried out at least every 5 years, and before a new tenancy begins. If the report recommends a shorter interval, you must follow that instead. These rules come from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
An unsatisfactory result means the report found one or more C1, C2 or FI observations. Any required remedial work must be carried out, and for rented homes in England the regulations require it to be completed within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies). I can carry out the remedial work and issue written confirmation once the installation is safe.
How long does an EICR take?
Most domestic EICRs take between two and four hours depending on the number of circuits and the accessibility of the wiring. Larger properties and HMOs take longer. I will give you a realistic time estimate when I quote so you can plan around it.
Do I need an EICR when buying a house?
It is not a legal requirement for a homebuyer, but it is strongly recommended. A standard homebuyer survey does not test the electrics. An EICR tells you the true condition of the wiring and consumer unit before you commit, which can save you from expensive surprises after completion.
What certificate do I get at the end?
You receive a full written EICR detailing every circuit tested, all readings, any coded observations, and a clear overall assessment. Landlords can hand this straight to tenants and the local council as proof of compliance.