If you’re a landlord, selling a property, or you’ve simply not had your wiring checked in over a decade, an EICR is how you find out whether your electrical installation is safe. SMC Electrical Ltd is a NAPIT-registered contractor carrying out Electrical Installation Condition Reports across Surrey — testing to BS 7671 (18th Edition) and issuing reports that hold up to insurer and Building Control scrutiny.
EICR testing in Sussex
— landlord, homeowner, commercial.
HORSHAM / WOTHING / GUILDFOIRD / CRANLEIGH / BILLINGSHURST / CHICHESTER / SURREY / SUSSEX /
What an EICR Actually is
A full inspection and test — not a tick list
- Visual inspection of every accessible accessory, the consumer unit, earthing arrangements and bonding
- Dead testing — continuity of protective conductors, ring final circuits, insulation resistance, polarity
- Live testing — earth fault loop impedance (Zs), prospective fault current (PFC), RCD operation
- Coding of any defects — C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended), FI (further investigation)
- Circuit-by-circuit schedules with real test readings
- Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory report, with digital cert issued within 48 hours
The result is a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory report. We code defects honestly — we don’t inflate findings to sell remedials.
On the day
What testing actually looks like.
Typical duration: 2–3 hours for a flat, 3–5 hours for a three-bedroom house.
STEP 01
Power off, in stages
Circuits isolated one at a time so the property isn't fully without power for long.
STEP 02
Visual and physical inspection
Every accessible accessory checked for signs of damage, overheating, or non-compliant work.
STEP 03
Dead testing
Calibrated equipment (Megger MFT, Fluke 1664) used for continuity, insulation resistance, polarity.
STEP 04
Live testing
RCDs tripped, loop impedance measured, fault levels recorded.
STEP 05
Circuit schedule completed
Every circuit listed with real readings, not box-ticked defaults.
STEP 06
Verbal summary & report
Quick verbal before we leave; full report emailed within 48 hours.
What testing actually looks like
The right gear, the real readings.
An EICR isn’t a visual walk-through with a tick box. It’s a circuit-by-circuit inspection and test using calibrated equipment, with results recorded against schedules. We use Megger MFT and Fluke 1664 test instruments — calibrated annually — and every reading is documented on the report.
- Visual inspection of every accessory
- Continuity of protective conductors
- Insulation resistance tested live
- Earth fault loop impedance (Zs) measured
- RCD operation and trip times verified
- Coded defects with clear remedials
Who needs an EICR
The most common reasons to book.
01 / 04
Landlords
A legal requirement every 5 years, or at change of tenancy, under the 2020 Electrical Safety Standards Regulations. Non-compliance risks fines up to £30,000 and can invalidate a Section 21 notice.
02 / 04
Homeowners selling
Increasingly requested by buyers’ solicitors and mortgage lenders, particularly for properties built before 1990. A current certificate keeps a sale moving instead of stalling at survey stage.
03 / 04
Commercial premises
Typically every 5 years, or every 3 years for industrial sites. HMO properties carry specific local-authority requirements that vary by council.
04 / 04
Insurers
Many policies now require current EICR evidence to remain valid. Worth checking your renewal documents before a claim depends on it.
FAQs
EICR questions — answered.
How often is an EICR required?
Every 5 years for private rentals; every 10 years for owner-occupied homes (BS 7671 recommendation); commercial typically 5 years.
Is an EICR a legal requirement?
For privately rented properties in England, yes — since 2020.
Can any electrician carry out an EICR?
No. The inspector must be qualified to City & Guilds 2391 or equivalent.
What if my property fails the EICR?
You’ll get an Unsatisfactory report with coded defects. For rented properties, remedials must be completed within 28 days.
Do I need to be home for the inspection?
Someone with access does. Key collection from an agent works fine for empty properties.
How long is an EICR valid?
Usually 5 years for private rentals and 10 years for owner-occupied homes.
Coverage
EICR Testing across Surrey.
Domestic, landlord, HMO and commercial EICRs across Surrey. Portfolio landlords welcome — scheduled testing programmes available.
01
Horsham
West Sussex
02
Worthing
West Sussex
03
Guildford
Surrey
04
Cranleigh
Surrey
05
Billingshurst
West Sussex
06
Chichester
West Sussex
Plus surrounding villages and towns across Surrey. Not sure? Drop us a postcode.
