Electrical Safety Certificates for Landlords in Andover

Published September 2026 | Electrical Safety Certificates

In the First 10 Minutes: Work Out Where You Stand

An Electrical Installation Condition Report - known as an EICR - is the document that confirms the fixed electrical installation in your rental property is safe. Fixed installation means everything permanent: consumer unit, wiring, sockets, light fittings, and switches. It does not cover portable appliances like kettles or washing machines - those fall under PAT testing, which is a separate matter.

Before you do anything else, locate any existing paperwork for your property. Specifically, you want to know:

1. Do you have an EICR at all?
2. What date was it issued?
3. What was the overall outcome - satisfactory, or unsatisfactory?
4. Are there any outstanding codes on the report?

If the EICR is more than five years old, or if you've never had one done, you're already out of compliance under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. This applies to all privately rented properties in England, including those in Andover and across Hampshire. There are no exceptions based on the age of the property or the type of tenancy.

If the report shows codes against it - particularly C1 or C2 codes, or an FI (Further Investigation required) - remedial work will be needed before the installation can be signed off as satisfactory. We'll come back to what those codes mean in a moment.

Within the First Hour: Understand Your Legal Obligations

The regulations aren't complicated, but they are strict. Here's what landlords in England are legally required to do:

1. Have the electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years.
2. Obtain a written report (the EICR) following that inspection.
3. Provide a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection.
4. Provide a copy to any new tenant before they move in.
5. Provide a copy to any prospective tenant who requests one in writing, within 28 days.
6. Provide a copy to your local authority within 7 days if they request it.
7. If the report is unsatisfactory, complete remedial work within 28 days - or sooner if the report specifies - and provide written confirmation to tenants within 28 days of completion.

Local authorities in Hampshire can impose fines of up to 30,000 pounds per breach. They can also carry out the remedial works themselves and recover the costs from the landlord. These aren't theoretical risks - enforcement action has been taken against landlords across England since the regulations came into full force, and authorities take the rules seriously.

It's also worth knowing that if a tenant suffers harm because of a fault that should have been identified in an EICR, you're in a significantly worse legal position without a valid report in place.

Same Day: Book the Inspection

The EICR must be carried out by a "qualified person" - in practice this means a registered electrician. Look for membership of one of the recognised competent person schemes: NICEIC, NAPIT, Elecsa, or the ECA. These schemes require electricians to demonstrate their competence and keep their skills current. Any reputable electrician working in Andover should be able to tell you immediately which scheme they're registered with.

When you call to book, be ready to give the electrician the following information:

• The property address and type (flat, terraced, detached, and so on)
• Number of bedrooms and circuits
• Whether the property is currently tenanted, and if so, whether the tenant has been notified
• The date of the last inspection, if you have one
• Any known issues with the electrics

Pricing varies depending on property size. For a one or two bedroom flat in Andover you'd typically expect to pay between 150 and 220 pounds. A three to four bedroom house generally comes in at 220 to 320 pounds, and larger properties with more circuits can cost 350 pounds or more. These are rough figures - always get a written quote before booking.

If you have multiple rental properties in the Andover area, it's worth asking whether the electrician offers a reduced rate for inspecting several properties in a block or on the same day. Many do.

Our engineers use the Voltrade GoFIX diagnostic tool during property assessments, which helps identify potential problem areas before the formal EICR process begins - particularly useful in older Hampshire properties where the installation history isn't well documented.

The Inspection Visit: What Actually Happens

The EICR inspection is more involved than a lot of landlords expect. It's not a quick visual check - it involves testing the electrical installation systematically to verify it's safe and compliant with current standards.

Here's a typical sequence of what happens on the day:

1. The electrician checks the consumer unit (fuse board) and verifies it's correctly labelled and in good condition.
2. They inspect the earthing and bonding arrangements throughout the property.
3. They carry out dead testing on the wiring - with the power off - to check insulation resistance and continuity.
4. They then carry out live testing, including checking that protective devices such as RCDs (residual current devices) operate correctly.
5. Sockets, switches, and light fittings are inspected visually for damage or deterioration.
6. The electrician completes the report and assigns codes to any items that need attention.

For a standard two or three bedroom rental property, the inspection typically takes two to four hours. Larger properties with more circuits will take longer. The power will need to be off for part of the inspection, so tenants should be warned in advance.

What do the EICR codes mean?

The report uses a coding system to classify any issues found. C1 means danger present - this requires immediate action and the electrician may advise disconnecting the circuit or supply until it's fixed. C2 means potentially dangerous - action required, typically within 28 days. C3 means improvement recommended - this is advisory only and doesn't make the report unsatisfactory. FI means further investigation is needed. An unsatisfactory report is one that contains any C1, C2, or FI codes.

If the report comes back unsatisfactory, you have 28 days - or less if the report specifies - to complete remedial work and provide written evidence to your tenant. Remedial work costs vary enormously depending on what's needed. Replacing a worn socket might cost 50 to 80 pounds. Fitting a new consumer unit with RCD protection commonly costs between 400 and 700 pounds. Full rewiring of an older property can run to several thousand pounds, though this is relatively uncommon.

The Following Week: Completing Your Obligations

Once the inspection is done and you have the EICR in hand, there are specific steps to work through before you can consider yourself fully compliant:

1. Send a copy of the EICR to all current tenants within 28 days. Email is fine - just keep a record that you sent it.
2. If there are remedial works, book them in immediately. Don't wait until day 27. Tradespeople in Andover can be booked up, particularly in busy periods.
3. Once remedial works are complete, obtain written confirmation from the electrician and forward this to your tenants.
4. Keep the original EICR and all associated paperwork somewhere safe. You'll need it again in five years, and you may need it sooner if a tenant raises a concern or a local authority asks to see it.
5. Update your property management records with the new EICR date so you don't miss the renewal.

If you manage properties through a letting agent in Hampshire, check who's responsible for maintaining EICR compliance under your management agreement. In most cases the agent manages the admin, but the legal responsibility still sits with you as the landlord. Don't assume the agent is on top of it - verify it.

Long Term: Keeping Your Property Compliant

The five-year cycle is the legal minimum, but it's not always the right interval for every property. Properties with older wiring, those that have been extended or altered, or those with high tenant turnover may benefit from more frequent inspections. An electrician who knows your property can advise on this.

There are also situations that should prompt an inspection outside the standard cycle:

• After any significant electrical work carried out at the property
• After a fire or flood that may have affected the installation
• If a tenant reports flickering lights, tripping circuits, or burning smells
• Before a new tenancy begins, if the existing EICR is more than three or four years old

For landlords with several properties across Andover and the wider Hampshire area, it's worth building a relationship with a reliable local electrician who understands your portfolio. Having someone who knows your properties means they can flag potential issues before they become expensive problems, and you'll be a priority booking rather than a cold enquiry when something urgent comes up.

Finally, keep your records in order. Store EICRs, remedial work certificates (which should be provided as an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate), and any correspondence with tenants in a single folder per property. If you ever face a dispute or an enforcement notice, having clean documentation makes a significant difference.

Timeline Questions

How long does it take to get an EICR booked and completed in Andover?

Most qualified electricians working in and around Andover can typically fit an EICR inspection within one to two weeks of booking, though this varies with demand. The inspection itself takes two to four hours for a typical rental property. If you're in a hurry - for instance, because a new tenancy is starting soon - explain this when you call. Some electricians can accommodate urgent bookings, though this may cost a little more.

What happens if I don't have an EICR and my tenant complains to the council?

The local authority can issue a remedial notice requiring you to obtain an EICR within 28 days. If you don't comply, they can arrange for the works to be done and bill you for the cost, plus issue a financial penalty of up to 30,000 pounds. The council can also publish details of enforcement action taken against landlords. Acting before any complaint is raised is always the better option.

Does an EICR cover the whole house including outbuildings and garages?

The EICR covers the fixed electrical installation associated with the property, but outbuildings and garages are only included if they share the same consumer unit and circuits. If an outbuilding has its own sub-board or separate supply, it typically needs to be inspected separately. Make sure you confirm with your electrician exactly what's included in the scope of the inspection before they start, particularly if the property has a garage, garden office, or outbuilding that tenants use.

Can I use an EICR from the previous owner when I buy a rental property in Hampshire?

You can use an existing EICR if it's still within its five-year validity period and shows a satisfactory outcome, but you do so at your own risk. The report was produced for the previous owner and you have no way of knowing whether any work has been done on the installation since. Most landlords buying a rental property in Hampshire commission a fresh EICR before or shortly after completion - it gives you a clean baseline and removes any uncertainty about what you've inherited.