Yes, you can check your landlord’s electrical safety record. In England, landlords must make sure the fixed electrical installation in a rented home is inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years. The report is usually called an Electrical Installation Condition Report, or EICR.

Private landlords have been under these duties since 2020. The rules now also apply across the social rented sector, with transitional deadlines for older social tenancies. For private rented homes, a further change is due from late 2026: the Private Rented Sector Database. It will make safety information, including electrical certificates, harder for landlords to ignore.

An EICR is often described as an MOT for the wiring, sockets, light fittings and consumer unit. It checks the fixed electrical parts of the property, not your own appliances. If you have noticed warning signs like scorched sockets or flickering lights, the EICR is one of the documents that should help show whether the installation is safe.

Your landlord should give an existing tenant a copy of the EICR within 28 days of the inspection and test. A new tenant should receive it before they move in. The landlord must also give the council a copy within 7 days if the council asks for it. If you are unsure what your landlord actually owes you, it helps to read up on their repairing obligations before you raise anything.

Here is a situation you might recognise. The sockets in your kitchen start buzzing, and one has a brown scorch mark around it. You mention it, nothing happens, and weeks pass. That delay matters because faulty wiring can be a fire and shock risk, not a cosmetic problem. Knowing how to report the problem properly puts you in a stronger position later.

What the EICR codes actually mean

The EICR uses codes to show how serious a fault is. A C1 means danger is present and there is a risk of injury. The electrician may make that hazard safe before leaving. A C2 means the issue is potentially dangerous and remedial work is needed. A C3 means improvement is recommended, but it does not make the report unsatisfactory on its own. FI means further investigation is required without delay.

If the report shows C1, C2 or FI, the landlord must ensure the required remedial or investigative work is completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period. They must then provide written confirmation to the tenant and local council within 28 days of completion.

If they drag their feet on genuine hazards, that is exactly what a housing disrepair claim may be built to deal with.

The new reporting measure

The change worth knowing about is the Private Rented Sector Database, introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The government’s implementation roadmap says rollout will begin from late 2026. It will be mandatory for private rented sector landlords to sign up, with regional rollout starting for landlords and local councils.

The database is expected to record key property details and safety information, including gas, electrical and energy performance certificates. Public access and data sharing will follow after landlord registration begins. In practical terms, this should give councils a clearer view of whether a rented property has the right safety paperwork without waiting for a tenant to chase repeatedly. For how a council gets involved, the guidance on environmental health action is worth a read.

Enforcement now has real weight. Councils may impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000 on landlords who breach specified electrical safety duties. The government’s own electrical safety standards guidance sets out the duties in plain terms.

If your landlord ignores the problem

Unsafe electrics left unfixed can count as disrepair, and you may be owed compensation as well as repairs. The amount depends on how long you were left at risk, how serious the hazard was, and how it affected daily life. It helps to understand how compensation is worked out and what evidence supports your case before you start.

Claim First does not only handle homes. The same team supports people with mis-sold car finance claims, payday loan refunds and scam and crypto recovery, all on a no win, no fee basis.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ask my landlord for the EICR certificate?
Yes. If you have not been given a copy, ask in writing. Existing tenants should receive the report within 28 days of the inspection, and new tenants before moving in.

How often does a landlord need an electrical safety check?
At least every 5 years, unless the report says the next inspection should happen sooner.

What happens if my landlord has no valid EICR?
The council can investigate, require remedial action and impose a financial penalty where duties have been breached.

Can I claim compensation for unsafe electrics?
Potentially, yes. If your landlord knew about a hazard and failed to act within a reasonable time, you may have grounds for a claim.

Check the record, then take action

Start by asking for the EICR in writing. If the wiring is unsafe and your landlord will not act, you do not have to put up with it. Claim First can review your situation and tell you where you stand, with no upfront cost. Get in touch today to start your claim.