Norwich · Norfolk
EICR Landlord Certificates in Norwich: The 5-Year Rule
If you let property in Norwich or anywhere in England, electrical safety testing is a hard legal duty under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
The duties
1. Have the fixed electrical installations inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and competent person — producing the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report). 2. Provide a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the inspection. 3. Provide it to new tenants before occupancy and to prospective tenants within 28 days of a written request. 4. Provide a copy to the local authority within 7 days of a written request. 5. Complete any further investigation or remedial work within 28 days (or sooner if the report says), with written confirmation.
Penalties
Breach attracts a corrective action notice and a civil penalty of up to £30,000 per breach — and local authorities (Norwich City Council included) run compliance checking programmes.
Norwich practicalities
- Typical EICR cost for a standard rental: £120–£250 depending on size and circuits (indicative 2026 figures, not quotes).
- Older housing stock — the Victorian terraces of the Golden Triangle, Lakenham and Heigham — statistically generates more C1/C2 observations, so budget time for remedials.
- The report codes matter: C1 (danger present) and C2 (potentially dangerous) require action; FI (further investigation) must be resolved before the report counts as satisfactory.
- HMOs have additional licensing-linked requirements — check Norwich City Council's licensing conditions.
Keep the paper trail
Diary dates at year 4, send access requests in writing, and store the EICR with the tenancy file. The 28-day clocks run from the inspection date, not from when you get round to it.