What landlords in East Kilbride need to know about EICRs

Updated on Sep 29, 2025

What Landlords in East Kilbride Need to Know About EICRs

If you rent out property in East Kilbride, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s a core part of staying compliant, protecting your tenants, and avoiding costly disputes. This guide breaks down what an EICR is, how often you need one in Scotland, what the inspection covers, how the codes work (C1/C2/C3/FI), what to do if your report is unsatisfactory, and a simple prep checklist to make inspection day smooth.

Quick take (for busy landlords)

You need an EICR at least every 5 years for private rented homes in Scotland—or sooner if the report says so. Give the latest report to existing tenants and to new tenants before they move in.
Appliances you provide (fridge, washer, etc.) must be inspected and tested as part of the electrical safety regime (commonly called PAT). Keep appliance records with your EICR.
Use a competent, registered electrician
South Lanarkshire specifically flags EICR and PAT as landlord obligations. Keep copies for your records and for tenants.

What is an EICR—and why it matters

An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal document produced after a qualified electrician inspects and tests the fixed wiring in your property: consumer unit, circuits, sockets, lighting, earthing/bonding, and protective devices. Think of it as an MOT for the property’s electrics: it identifies defects, deterioration, and safety risks against the current wiring regulations (BS 7671).

For landlords, the EICR is more than due diligence. It’s part of meeting the Repairing Standard under Scottish law—your duty to ensure installations are safe at the start of, and throughout, a tenancy.

How often do I need an EICR in Scotland?

Minimum: every 5 years.
Sooner if specified: If your electrician finds older or stressed wiring, the report may recommend a shorter interval—follow it.
New tenancy? Many agents recommend refreshing checks at a change of tenancy (useful for risk management), but the legal minimum remains the five-year cycle unless your last report says otherwise.

You must provide a copy to your tenant; new tenants should receive the most recent report before the tenancy begins. Keep your own copy with your compliance file.

Local note: South Lanarkshire’s guidance to private landlords explicitly lists EICR and electrical appliance testing as required items for registration/compliance.

What about PAT (appliance testing)?

Electrical safety in Scottish private rentals has two parts:

EICR – fixed wiring and installations.
Record of appliance inspection/testing – for portable/stationary appliances you supply (white goods, etc.). Keep a register of items, test results, and fuse ratings. Testing intervals depend on appliance risk and usage; many landlords align checks with the 5-year cycle (or more frequently for high-risk/heavy-use items).

Electrical Safety First’s landlord guidance for Scotland explains the expectation to inspect/test landlord-supplied appliances and to use a competent person.

What does the inspection cover?

Your electrician will inspect and test:

Consumer unit/RCBOs/RCDs and surge protection (if present)
Earthing & bonding (gas/water services)
Circuit condition (overloading, damage, insulation resistance)
Accessories (sockets, light fittings/switches, spurs)
Visible DIY alterations and signs of overheating/poor connections
Bathrooms/ kitchens (special locations) and outdoor circuits

The aim is to spot shock/fire risks, defects, and non-compliances relevant to safety—not cosmetic issues.

Understanding EICR codes (what your result means)

Your report will state whether the installation is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, with observations coded by severity:

C1 – Danger present. Immediate risk (e.g., live parts exposed). Requires urgent action to make safe.
C2 – Potentially dangerous. Risk of injury under fault conditions; prompt remediation required.
C3 – Improvement recommended. Not dangerous today, but upgrading would enhance safety/compliance.
FI – Further investigation. Something suggests a hidden fault; more testing needed before the installation can be judged safe.

Any C1, C2, or FI generally renders the EICR Unsatisfactory until fixed and re-assessed. (C3 alone can still be Satisfactory.) Source guides for landlords explain these outcomes and why remedial work may be required.

What counts as “competent” in Scotland?

Use a qualified, registered electrician. In Scotland, landlords commonly rely on contractors registered with SELECT, NICEIC, or NAPIT—this demonstrates competence and helps if your paperwork is ever scrutinised by a letting agent, insurer, or tribunal.

East Kilbride specifics: what we tend to see

Property stock in East Kilbride ranges from 1960s ex-local authority homes to newer builds and flats. Typical patterns we find on rental EICRs:

Older boards with legacy RCD coverage (or none on sockets/outdoor circuits) → often trigger C2 or C3 depending on context.
Mixed-age accessories and DIY alterations behind sockets/spurs → may lead to FI/C2 until verified and fixed.
Bonding issues on gas/water**:** undersized or absent main bonding—frequent C2.
Bathroom additions missing RCD protection → remediation usually straightforward with an RCBO or board upgrade.
Outdoor electrics (sheds, gardens) with weathered accessories or no RCD → C2/C3 depending on condition.

A pre-inspection tidy-up (tightening faceplates, replacing broken accessories, labelling) can reduce observations.

What happens if my EICR is Unsatisfactory?

Get a remedial quote that explicitly references each code item.
Complete the remedials promptly—especially C1/C2/FI.
Obtain evidence of the fix: either a remedial certificate or an updated EICR showing a Satisfactory outcome (some contractors issue an “EICR + remedials completion” pack).
Share the updated document with tenants and file it with your records/agent.

While Scottish guidance doesn’t set an England-style “28-day” clock, your duty is to keep installations safe at all times. Don’t delay—especially if a C1/C2 was noted.

EICR vs. other documents (don’t mix them up)

EICR: periodic condition report on fixed wiring.
EIC/MEIWC: installation certificates for new work or minor works—you’ll see these when a contractor adds or modifies circuits.
PAT records: inspection/testing logs for landlord-supplied appliances.
Smoke/heat/CO compliance: separate but essential; South Lanarkshire highlights these alongside EICR/PAT.

Keep all four in a single “property compliance” folder.

What your electrician needs from you (so the visit goes smoothly)

Before the inspection:

Access to consumer unit, meter, and all rooms (including lofts and cupboards).
Keys/codes for garages/outbuildings.
Appliance list (brand/model) for any items you provide.
Previous certificates (EICR, EIC, MEIWC, PAT) if you have them.
Tenant notice (agree a time window—circuits will be isolated during testing).

On the day:

Power will be off periodically while insulation and RCD tests run.
Sample testing is common, but older/modified installs may require more intrusive checks to be safe.
Expect photos/notes of observations for the report.

Afterwards:

You’ll receive the EICR PDF, observation list with codes, and recommended next steps/interval.
If Unsatisfactory, get the remedial quote and timeline in writing.

Typical costs in our area

Costs vary with property size, number of circuits, access, and documentation quality, but for most EK rentals, landlords should budget for an EICR in the low hundreds per property, with remedials priced separately (e.g., RCBO/RCD upgrades, bonding improvements, replacing broken accessories). Avoid “too-good-to-be-true” prices—rushed inspections can miss defects that become expensive later.

(For South Lanarkshire’s general note on 5-year inspections, see the council’s guidance; for Scottish nationwide landlord expectations, see the Scottish Government repairing standard guidance and Electrical Safety First’s landlord materials.)

Sample EICR outcomes landlords often ask about

Q: The report is “Satisfactory” but with C3 items—do I need to fix them now?
A: Not legally required for a pass, but recommended. C3s are often cost-effective upgrades (RCD coverage, labelling, minor accessory wear) that reduce risk and keep future reports clean.

Q: My last report said “re-test in 3 years,” not 5. Why?
A: The inspector judged the installation’s condition/age warrants a shorter cycle. Follow the stated interval—that’s part of compliance.

Q: Do I have to give the report to tenants?
A: Yes. Provide the latest EICR to current tenants and to new tenants before the tenancy begins. Keep proof you’ve done so.

Q: Who can do the test—any electrician?
A: Use a competent, registered electrician (SELECT/NICEIC/NAPIT). It’s what Scottish guidance expects and what agents/insurers look for.

Q: What about my appliances?
A: If you supply them, keep inspection/testing records (PAT). Align intervals to appliance risk/usage and store the log with the EICR.

Landlord checklist (copy/paste)

□ EICR in date (≤5 years old or per last recommended interval)
□ PAT/Appliance record for all landlord-supplied items
□ Remedials for any C1/C2/FI completed and documented
□ Tenant copies issued (and for new tenants, given before move-in)
□ Competent electrician used (SELECT/NICEIC/NAPIT), certs filed
□ Smoke/heat/CO alarms compliant and logged (separate requirement)
□ Compliance folder up to date: EICR, PAT, EIC/MEIWC, alarms evidence

How we help East Kilbride landlords

For single lets or portfolios across East Kilbride and South Lanarkshire, our landlord service includes:

Fixed-price EICRs with clear itemised observations (C1/C2/C3/FI)
Appliance inspection/testing and an up-to-date inventory log
Remedial quotes mapped to each observation (no guesswork)
Fast turnarounds between tenancies
Digital copies for agents/insurers and simple renewal reminders

The bottom line

An EICR is the backbone of electrical safety compliance for Scottish landlords. In East Kilbride, expect a 5-year cycle (or shorter if recommended), keep PAT/appliance records if you provide white goods, and use a registered electrician. Share documents with tenants, do remedials promptly, and keep your compliance folder tidy—you’ll protect your tenants, your property, and your peace of mind.

Need an EICR or just want a free look over your last report? Send the PDF and we’ll flag any urgent items and quote any fixes.