What Is It?
A landlord electrical compliance checklist is a practical document that walks landlords and letting agents through every electrical safety obligation required by law. It covers the full cycle from arranging the initial EICR, through providing copies to tenants and local authorities, tracking remedial work deadlines, maintaining records, and scheduling the next inspection. It is designed to be used as a recurring compliance tool — not a one-off document — so that landlords can demonstrate ongoing due diligence if ever challenged by a local authority or in a court of law.
About This Template
Since 1 June 2020, landlords in England have been legally required to ensure the electrical installations in their rental properties are inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 per breach, issued by local authorities. Scotland has similar requirements under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. This checklist provides a structured, step-by-step framework to help landlords stay on top of their electrical safety obligations, avoid penalties, and protect their tenants.
When to Use
- When onboarding a new rental property to ensure all electrical safety requirements are met from the outset
- Before a new tenancy begins to confirm the EICR is current and has been provided to the incoming tenant
- At least 6 months before the current EICR expires to allow time to schedule a new inspection and address any remedial work
- After receiving an EICR with C1 or C2 observations to track the 28-day remedial work deadline
- When a local authority requests evidence of electrical compliance for one or more properties
- During annual portfolio reviews to ensure no properties have lapsed certifications
What to Include
- Property details: full address, number of bedrooms, year of construction, and current tenancy start date
- EICR status: date of last inspection, inspector's name and registration number, overall result (satisfactory or unsatisfactory), and expiry date
- Tenant notification checklist: date EICR copy was provided to existing tenants (within 28 days of inspection) and to prospective tenants (before they occupy the property)
- Local authority response log: date of any request from the local authority and date the EICR copy was supplied (must be within 7 days of request)
- Remedial work tracker: list of C1 and C2 observations, dates remedial work was completed, name of electrician who carried out repairs, and date of re-inspection confirming satisfactory outcome
- Consumer unit details: age, type (rewirable fuses, MCBs, RCDs, RCBOs), and whether an upgrade is due
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm compliance: confirmation that alarms are installed on every floor as required by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
- Record retention log: where original certificates are stored, how long they are being kept (minimum 5 years recommended), and backup arrangements
- Next inspection due date with a reminder set at least 3 months in advance
- Landlord or managing agent sign-off with date confirming all checks have been completed
Tips
Set calendar reminders for 6 months and 3 months before each EICR expiry — leaving it to the last minute risks non-compliance if the electrician finds issues that need remedial work
Always keep the original signed EICR in a safe place and provide tenants with a copy (not the original). Digital copies stored securely in the cloud provide a reliable backup
If you use a letting agent, confirm in writing who is responsible for arranging EICRs and tracking compliance — the legal obligation remains with the landlord even if the agent handles day-to-day management
When remedial work is needed, use the same electrician who carried out the EICR where possible — they already know the installation and can re-test efficiently
For HMOs, remember that additional fire safety requirements apply and your EICR must cover common areas as well as individual units
