What Is It?
A request EICR letter is a formal written communication from a tenant to their landlord (or letting agent acting on the landlord's behalf) requesting a copy of the current EICR for their rental property, or requesting that an EICR be arranged if one has not been carried out within the required five-year period. The letter references the relevant legislation, provides a reasonable timeframe for compliance, and serves as documented evidence that the tenant has made the request — which is important if the matter escalates to the local authority.
About This Template
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords are legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the most recent Electrical Installation Condition Report. If your landlord has not provided this — or if you believe the electrical installation in your rented property has not been inspected within the last five years — you have the right to request it. This letter template gives tenants a clear, professional, and legally referenced way to make that request. It cites the specific regulations, sets a reasonable deadline for response, and outlines the next steps if the landlord does not comply.
When to Use
- When you have moved into a rental property and have not been provided with a copy of the EICR
- When you believe the last EICR was carried out more than five years ago and no new inspection has been arranged
- When you have concerns about the electrical safety of your rental property and want documentary evidence of its condition
- When your landlord or letting agent has verbally promised to provide the EICR but has not followed through
- When you need a documented paper trail before escalating a complaint to your local authority's housing team
- When you are preparing to raise a formal complaint under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) about electrical hazards
What to Include
- Your full name and the address of the rental property
- The landlord's (or letting agent's) name and correspondence address
- Date of the letter and your tenancy start date for context
- A clear statement requesting a copy of the current EICR for the property
- Reference to the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, specifically Regulation 3 (duty to ensure standards are met) and Regulation 6 (duty to provide copy to tenant)
- A reasonable deadline for the landlord to respond — 14 days is standard and reasonable
- A statement that if the landlord cannot provide a current EICR, you are requesting that one be arranged within the timeframe required by the regulations
- A note that you will escalate the matter to the local authority if the landlord does not respond within the stated deadline
- Your contact details for the landlord's response
- A record of how the letter was sent (email, recorded delivery, or hand-delivered with a witness) to provide proof of delivery
Tips
Send the letter by recorded delivery or email with a read receipt so you have proof it was received. If the matter goes to the local authority, you will need to show that you made the request and the landlord failed to act
Keep a copy of the letter and all related correspondence. Create a simple timeline of events in case you need to report the matter — local authorities respond more quickly to well-documented complaints
Be polite but firm in the letter. Most landlords are not deliberately non-compliant — they may simply be unaware of their obligations. A professional letter often resolves the issue without escalation
If your landlord does not respond within 14 days, contact your local authority's private rented sector team or environmental health department. They have the power to issue remedial notices and impose financial penalties on non-compliant landlords
