EICR in Hackney

The electrician will test every circuit in the property for safety, checking the condition of wiring, sockets, light fittings, the consumer unit (fuse board), and earthing arrangements. They use specialist test equipment to measure insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times. The process involves turning off circuits one at a time and may require access to loft spaces, under floors, and behind consumer units.

The report uses observation codes: C1 means an immediate danger that must be fixed urgently, C2 means a potentially dangerous condition requiring prompt attention, C3 is a recommendation for improvement, and FI means further investigation is needed. If any C1 or C2 codes are issued, the overall result is 'Unsatisfactory' and the landlord must carry out remedial work within 28 days (or sooner for C1 issues), then obtain confirmation that the faults have been resolved.

The legal requirement is at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report recommends an earlier re-inspection date. If the property has very old wiring (pre-1970s), the report may recommend a three-year re-inspection interval. You must also commission a new EICR whenever the existing certificate expires, regardless of whether there is a change of tenancy.

No. The 2020 Regulations require that the person conducting the inspection is 'qualified and competent.' In practice, this means they must be registered with an approved competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or the ECA. An unregistered electrician cannot issue a valid EICR, and the landlord would not be meeting their legal obligations.

Yes. You must give a copy of the most recent EICR to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they move in. If the local housing authority requests a copy, you must supply it within seven days. Keeping clear records of when reports were shared is advisable in case of any dispute.

Hackney Council has a strong enforcement record in the private rented sector and operates Additional HMO Licensing borough-wide. The council has issued some of the largest civil penalties in London for housing standard breaches. Landlords in Hackney should ensure their fire risk assessments, EICRs, and fire alarm installations are fully up to date, as the enforcement team regularly inspects licensed HMOs. The general legal requirements for eicr apply across England, but London Borough of Hackney may have additional conditions attached to property licences or local enforcement priorities that affect how the requirements are applied in practice.

Hackney's housing stock is a mix of Georgian townhouses in Clapton and De Beauvoir, Victorian terraces across Stoke Newington and Dalston, large post-war estates in Hoxton and Haggerston, and an increasing number of modern developments. The borough has a large private rented sector and a significant number of HMOs, particularly in areas like Hackney Central and Stamford Hill. Many older properties have been converted into flats, often without the level of fire separation and detection that current standards require. Common property types that require this service include Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces converted into flats, post-war council estates, modern new-build apartments. The specific requirements depend on the property type, tenure, and how the building is used.