Electrical Safety Certificates for Landlords in Shrewsbury - EICR Only or Full Package

Published August 2026 | Electrical Safety Certificates

You rent out a property in Shrewsbury, the renewal date on your electrical safety certificate is coming up, and you're wondering whether to book the minimum legal requirement or pay a bit more for a comprehensive inspection. Both approaches can keep you compliant - but one of them leaves gaps that could cost you significantly more down the line. So which approach actually suits your situation?

Option A - The EICR Only

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the legal foundation of electrical safety for private landlords in England. Since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force - new tenancies from July 2020, all existing tenancies from April 2021 - every rental property must have a valid EICR in place. There are no exemptions for short-term lets or furnished properties. If you let a property in Shrewsbury, you need one.

The EICR covers the fixed electrical installation in your property: the consumer unit (fuse board), all fixed wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, and the earthing and bonding arrangements. A qualified electrician carries out a series of tests and visual inspections, typically taking between two and four hours depending on the size of the property and how many circuits are involved.

What the EICR covers

Our engineers inspect the following as standard during an EICR:

1. The consumer unit and its protective devices, including circuit breakers and RCDs
2. The condition of fixed wiring throughout the property
3. Sockets, switches, and fused connection units
4. Earthing and bonding arrangements at the main intake and throughout
5. Any visible signs of damage, deterioration, or unsafe DIY modifications

The report grades any issues found using standard codes: C1 (danger present, immediate action required), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), and FI (further investigation required). If a C1 or C2 code is recorded, you as the landlord must arrange remedial works within 28 days and provide written confirmation to your tenant that the work has been completed.

Pros of the EICR only option

Lower upfront cost is the obvious draw. An EICR for a standard two or three bedroom property in Shrewsbury typically costs between 150 and 280 pounds, depending on the number of circuits and the age of the installation. It's quick to arrange, quick to complete, and satisfies your legal obligation. Once you have the certificate, you can provide a copy to your tenant within 28 days and retain a copy yourself. You're done until the five-year renewal comes around.

Cons of the EICR only option

The EICR covers nothing outside the fixed installation. Portable appliances - washing machines, fridges, cookers, toasters, lamps, TVs - are entirely outside its scope. If you've provided any of those items as part of your let and a tenant is injured by a faulty appliance, a valid EICR won't offer you much protection. It also doesn't verify smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector function, emergency lighting, or any temporary wiring that doesn't form part of the fixed installation.

Option B - The Full Electrical Safety Package

A full electrical safety package combines an EICR with PAT testing (Portable Appliance Testing) and, in many cases, a functional check of smoke and CO alarms and a review of emergency lighting where relevant. It isn't a single legally defined product - different contractors and compliance services will bundle these differently - but the core principle holds: one visit, one set of paperwork, comprehensive coverage across your electrical safety obligations.

PAT testing involves a qualified electrician checking every portable electrical appliance in the property that you as the landlord have supplied. Each item is visually inspected and then run through a PAT tester, which checks earth continuity, insulation resistance, and whether the plug is correctly wired and fused. Every item tested receives a pass or fail label. This creates a documented record showing the condition of each appliance at the time of inspection.

What a full package typically includes

1. A full EICR covering the fixed electrical installation
2. PAT testing of all landlord-supplied appliances
3. Functional check of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
4. Basic visual check of any emergency lighting (standard for HMOs and larger properties)
5. A single combined report and certificate file for your records

Pros of the full package

Comprehensive documentation is the main argument. If a dispute arises with a tenant, or if your property is inspected by the local authority, you have a clear paper trail demonstrating that you've taken electrical safety seriously across the board - not just at the fuse board. A single engineer visit to cover everything is also more cost-effective than booking separate contractors at different times of year, particularly for landlords managing multiple properties across Shropshire.

The appliance coverage matters more than many landlords initially realise. Bosch, Hotpoint, and Beko appliances are built to last, but they age - and landlords often inherit older machines from previous tenants or prior purchases. A washing machine that was installed seven years ago and has never been formally tested is a risk worth addressing.

Cons of the full package

The cost is noticeably higher. A combined EICR and PAT test for a furnished two-bedroom property in Shrewsbury will typically run between 250 and 450 pounds, depending on how many appliances are present, how accessible the installation is, and which contractor you use. PAT testing is not a statutory requirement for domestic landlords in England (unlike in commercial and employment contexts), so some landlords feel they're paying for something that isn't legally mandatory. The visit also takes longer - budget three to five hours for a furnished property, sometimes more if there are a large number of appliances to test.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Here's how the two options compare on the factors that tend to matter most:

Legal compliance: Both options include the EICR and satisfy the mandatory legal requirement. Neither is "more legal" than the other in terms of the certificate itself.

Typical cost range: EICR only typically falls between 150 and 280 pounds. Full package typically runs between 250 and 450 pounds.

Time on site: EICR only takes around two to four hours. A full package commonly takes three to five hours, occasionally longer for heavily furnished properties.

Appliance coverage: EICR only - none. Full package - all landlord-supplied appliances documented with pass/fail records.

Liability protection: The EICR provides documented evidence of fixed installation safety. The full package adds documented evidence of appliance safety, reducing exposure in furnished lets.

Best suited to: EICR only works well for unfurnished lets. The full package is better suited to furnished or part-furnished properties, HMOs, and landlords who want a single comprehensive record.

Renewal cycle: The EICR must be renewed every five years by law. PAT testing for furnished properties is commonly carried out annually or every two years, depending on the age and condition of the appliances.

Which is Right for Your Situation

The honest calculus here comes down to what's inside your property and how much residual risk you're willing to carry.

If you let the property unfurnished and your tenants supply all their own appliances, the EICR alone will cover your legal obligations and your exposure to appliance-related liability is substantially reduced. You haven't supplied the item, so the responsibility sits elsewhere.

If your property is furnished or part-furnished - even if that just means a fridge-freezer and a washing machine left over from a previous tenancy - the full package deserves serious consideration. The moment you provide an electrical appliance to a tenant, you take on responsibility for its safety. A single incident involving a faulty appliance with no documented inspection history is an expensive lesson.

HMOs in Shropshire sit in a category of their own. Local authority licensing conditions for HMOs typically go well beyond the standard EICR requirement, and inspectors will want to see comprehensive electrical records covering appliances and, where applicable, emergency lighting. If you're operating an HMO anywhere in or around Shrewsbury, the full package isn't a nice-to-have.

If you're unsure which category your property falls into, the Voltrade GoFIX diagnostic tool is a useful starting point - it gives you a clear picture of what your property is likely to need before you book an engineer.

What Shrewsbury Landlords Typically Choose and Why

From the work our engineers carry out across Shrewsbury and the wider Shropshire area, the split between the two options follows a fairly clear pattern tied to property type and landlord experience.

Landlords with a single unfurnished property tend to go for the EICR only. These are commonly more experienced landlords with a clear understanding of their obligations. They know their property's history, they're not providing appliances, and they keep their documentation in good order. The EICR is all they legally need, and that's what they book.

Landlords with furnished properties - particularly those who are newer to letting, or who have recently inherited a property in Shrewsbury and are renting it out for the first time - commonly opt for the full package. The extra cost is worth it to them for the comprehensive paper trail it creates. Not having to wonder whether any of the provided appliances might cause a problem is worth the difference in price.

Landlords managing multiple properties across Shropshire, particularly those with five or more units, often arrange block inspections with a single contractor. Getting one engineer to cover several properties on consecutive days typically brings the per-property cost down and reduces the administrative overhead of tracking multiple certificate renewal dates separately.

Making Your Decision

Is your property furnished or unfurnished?

This is the most important question. If your tenants supply all their own appliances, an EICR on its own covers your legal obligations and limits your liability exposure on the appliance side. If you've provided a fridge, washing machine, cooker, electric shower, or any other portable or fixed electrical item, you should have documented evidence that those items are safe - and a PAT test is the recognised method for doing that.

How old is the wiring in your property?

Properties in Shrewsbury with older wiring - particularly those built before the 1980s that haven't been rewired since - are more likely to return C2 codes on an EICR. In those cases, the priority is fixing what the EICR flags before thinking about adding PAT testing on top. Budget for potential remedial work if your property is older or has had limited electrical investment. Rewiring a standard two-bedroom property in the Shrewsbury area commonly costs between 3,000 and 5,500 pounds depending on size and access, so it's worth factoring into your planning if your installation is ageing.

Are you operating an HMO or a standard single-let?

HMOs in Shropshire are subject to additional electrical safety requirements through licensing conditions, and local authority inspectors approach them with considerably more scrutiny than standard lets. If you're operating an HMO - whether that's a shared house in the Shrewsbury town centre or a converted property elsewhere in the county - plan for the full package and discuss emergency lighting requirements with your electrician before the inspection date. Getting the scope right before the visit saves time and avoids the cost of a follow-up appointment.

What is your tolerance for administrative risk?

Local authorities in England can issue financial penalties of up to 30,000 pounds for landlords who fail to meet their electrical safety obligations. While an EICR alone is legally sufficient for an unfurnished let, landlords who want to minimise any administrative exposure - particularly those managing properties at a distance or through a letting agent - commonly prefer the full package because it removes ambiguity. A single comprehensive report covering fixed installation and appliances gives you a clear, defensible record if any question is ever raised about the property's safety.

How often does an EICR need to be renewed for a rental property in Shrewsbury?

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must have an EICR carried out at least every five years. If an electrician identifies the installation as needing more frequent inspection, they'll note a shorter recommended interval on the report itself. You should also arrange a new EICR whenever significant electrical work is carried out on the property.

Can I do PAT testing myself or does it need to be carried out by an electrician?

PAT testing is not legally restricted to qualified electricians in the way that EICR work is. A competent person with the right equipment and understanding of what to look for can carry it out. In practice, however, most landlords find it easier and more reliable to have the same electrician carry out both the EICR and PAT testing in a single visit. This keeps all the documentation consistent and removes any question about whether the person carrying out the test was genuinely competent to do so.

What happens if my EICR comes back with a C1 or C2 code?

You are legally required to carry out the remedial works within 28 days of receiving the report, or sooner if the electrician specifies an earlier timeframe for a C1 (immediate danger) finding. Once the work is complete, you must provide written confirmation to your tenant and retain a record yourself. If the local authority requests the certificate, you must supply it within seven days. Failing to act on a C1 or C2 within the required period puts you in breach of the regulations.

Do I need to give my tenant a copy of the electrical safety certificate?

Yes. Landlords in England must provide a copy of the EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection being carried out. New tenants must receive a copy before they move in. Prospective tenants who request a copy must receive one within 28 days of the request. You must also supply a copy to your local authority within seven days if they ask for it. Keeping a digital copy as well as a physical one is advisable.