A legal requirement for landlords in Northern Ireland. Every 5 years, and here is who can do it, which properties it covers and what the law says.
Since the Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (NI) 2024, every private landlord in Northern Ireland must have the fixed electrical installation in a rented home inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. The result is an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR. It is now as routine a part of letting in Northern Ireland as the gas safety check, and unlike gas it applies to every rented home, whatever its heating.
For tenancies that began on or after 1 April 2025, the inspection must be done before the tenancy starts. For tenancies that were already running, the deadline was 1 December 2025. After that, the installation must be inspected again at least every 5 years, or sooner if the last report says it should be.
Licensed HMOs follow the same 5-year interval through their licence conditions.
The EICR covers the fixed wiring: the consumer unit (fuse board), circuits, sockets, switches, light fittings and earthing and bonding, tested against the wiring standard BS 7671. Portable appliances you supply, such as a kettle or a fridge, are a separate matter (portable appliance testing is a condition for licensed HMOs).
Each problem the electrician finds is given a code:
Any C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory. The remedial work, or the further investigation, must be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Keep the electrician's written confirmation that the work has been done alongside the report, because it is the other half of your evidence.
The inspection must be carried out by a qualified and competent person. In practice that means an electrician registered with a recognised scheme who is experienced in periodic inspection and testing. Ask to see their registration and check it before booking. Cost depends on the size of the property and the number of circuits, so get a quote; a typical house takes a few hours.
Every Northern Ireland property gets an EICR on its register automatically. Record the inspection date and Beamwise sets the next one 5 years out and reminds you ahead of time. Send the job to your electrician through Beamwise and they upload the report directly; tenants get their copy without you lifting a finger.
Every 5 years in Northern Ireland. The next one is due 5 years after the last.
A registered, qualified electrician.
Yes. It applies to every rented property in Northern Ireland.
Yes. Tenants must be given a copy within 28 days. Beamwise sends it to them automatically when the new record is filed.
Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (NI) 2024 (SR 2024/201): fixed wiring inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years (sooner if the report says so), to BS 7671. Before the tenancy starts for tenancies from 1 April 2025; existing tenancies by 1 December 2025. Report to existing tenants within 28 days, to new tenants before they move in, and to the council within 7 days of a request. Remedial work within 28 days. Licensed HMOs: the same interval applies through licence conditions.
No. The EICR covers the fixed electrical installation (wiring, sockets, switches, the consumer unit). Portable appliances are tested separately, and portable appliance testing is a licence condition for HMOs.
Any C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation needed). Remedial work must then be done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
Only if it asks, and then within 7 days.
Written from the same rule Beamwise uses to track this for properties in Northern Ireland, last updated 25 Sept 2026. Rules change, so check the legislation named above or take professional advice before relying on it.
Let Beamwise keep track of this for you.
Add a property and Beamwise works out which of these rules apply, reminds you before anything runs out, and sends tenants their copies. Free for your first property.