Do you need an EICR to sell or buy a house?

No — if you live in the home you’re selling, the law doesn’t require an EICR. As the Law Society puts it, an EICR is not a legal requirement for the sale of property in England and Wales. But the electrics come up in almost every sale: the property information form you complete for your solicitor (the TA6) asks about electrical work and certificates — and directly whether the property has an EICR. An up-to-date report answers those questions before they slow the sale down.

If the home is let, it’s different: a landlord needs a valid EICR throughout the tenancy, and a buyer taking on tenants will expect to see it. See EICR for landlords.

What the TA6 form asks

The TA6 is the Law Society’s standard property information form. Its 6th edition, mandatory since 30 March 2026, asks about electrical works and certificates and, at question 11.3: “Does the property have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)?”

If you don’t have an EICR, you answer no. That isn’t a problem in itself, but the buyer’s solicitor may raise follow-up questions, and the buyer may ask to arrange an inspection. Having a recent report — and certificates for any electrical work you’ve had done — keeps things moving.

Why sellers get an EICR

• It answers the buyer’s questions early. You can hand over the report with the other property documents. You can see what a buyer would see on our sample report.
• No surprises late in the sale. If there are problems, you find out on your timetable and can decide whether to fix them or reflect them in the price.
• It shows the home has been looked after, especially in an older property.
• It gives you a clear list. Fixing a C2 before you list is usually simpler than negotiating over it after an offer.

Why buyers get an EICR

A general survey rarely tests the electrics. An EICR tells you:

• whether the installation is safe — and what needs fixing, with each item coded;
• whether the wiring is old or has had amateur alterations;
• whether there’s RCD protection — the safety switch that cuts the power in a fault;
• whether there are signs of overheating or damage you wouldn’t spot on a viewing;
• roughly what you might need to spend after you move in.

Many buyers book an EICR between the offer and exchange, with the seller’s permission, so they can renegotiate or budget for any work.

A timeline for sellers and buyers

For a guide to the price of an inspection, see what an EICR costs in London.

Survey or EICR?

Worked examples

Selling a 1960s semi. The owners get an EICR before listing. It shows one C2 — no RCD protection on a socket circuit likely to feed equipment in the garden — and a C3 for the plastic consumer unit under the wooden stairs. They have the C2 fixed, keep the certificate for the work, and hand both documents to their solicitor. The buyer’s questions are answered from the paperwork.

Buying a Victorian conversion flat. The buyer arranges an EICR after the offer is accepted, with the seller’s permission. It finds older wiring on the lighting circuits and a C2 for missing bonding to the gas pipe. The buyer uses the report to negotiate, and plans the remaining work for after they move in.

What if the report finds problems?

Nothing forces a seller to fix C1 or C2 items before a sale, but a buyer will probably ask about them. A C1(danger present) should be made safe on the day either way. Sellers can fix the items and pass on the certificates, or leave them and reflect them in the price. Buyers can ask for work to be done before completion, negotiate, or budget for it. See EICR codes explained.

Buying a home with tenants in it

If you buy a property with tenants in place, you become their landlord — and take on the electrical safety duties. Ask for:

• the current EICR and the date the next one is due;
• written confirmation of any remedial work the report required;
• evidence that the tenants received their copies.

If the report is close to running out, factor in a new inspection. See how often you need an EICR.

How recent does a report need to be?

A report reflects the installation on the day it was done. There’s no fixed rule for a sale, but buyers are usually happy with a recent report. If yours is several years old, or the home has had work done since, a new inspection gives a clearer picture. For a let property, the report has to be within its five-year limit — or the shorter date the report sets — to count for the landlord.

Certificates for past work

Buyers’ solicitors also ask about electrical work done at the property. If you’ve had a new consumer unit, a new circuit or work in a bathroom, find the Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works certificate and the building regulations sign-off — that kind of work is notifiable under Part P. See when an EICR says the consumer unit must go for how notifiable work is signed off. If a certificate is missing, ask the electrician who did the work for a copy.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the survey covers the electrics. It rarely tests them.
• Leaving it until just before exchange. Problems found late are harder to negotiate.
• Losing certificates for past electrical work.
• Buyers ignoring the C3s when budgeting — they’re not urgent, but they add up.

Key points

• An EICR isn’t a legal requirement to sell a home you live in.
• The TA6 form asks whether the property has one, and about past electrical work.
• Buyers use an EICR to understand the wiring and budget for repairs.
• A let property needs a valid EICR throughout the tenancy.

Book a homeowner EICR

We inspect and test every circuit to BS 7671, email you the report as a PDF and explain the results in plain English — useful whether you’re selling, buying or simply want peace of mind. You see the price, including VAT, before you book. See our homeowner EICR service, see your price, or call us on 07301 010244.