Do I Need an EICR to Sell My House?

Selling your home can be a complicated process, with numerous boxes to tick, paperwork to complete, and legal requirements to meet. Before they can list their property, many sellers find themselves wondering: do I need an EICR certificate to sell my house? 

This blog will walk you through all you need to know about EICRs: what they are, when you need one, and why having one could help you – even if it’s not strictly necessary.

What Is an EICR?

An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a comprehensive report created by a licensed electrician after an extensive inspection of the fixed electrical systems of a property. This incorporates:

• Electrical wiring
• Sockets and switches
• Fuse boxes (consumer units)
• Lighting circuits
• Earthing and bonding

An EICR serves to evaluate whether the current electrical installation is safe for use. It draws attention to any flaws or problems that might compromise current wiring rules (BS 7671) or safety.

An EICR assigns three main codes to problems:

• C1 (Danger Present) – Immediate action required
• C2 (Potentially Dangerous) – Urgent remedial action needed
• C3 (Improvement Recommended) – Not immediately dangerous, but could be improved

These rules enable homeowners and electricians to prioritise any required repairs or upgrades.

Do I need an EICR to sell my house?

No, selling a house in the UK does not legally require an EICR.

Unlike landlords, who have to have a current EICR for rental properties (as mandated by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020), homeowners selling their house are not legally obliged to get an electrical safety certificate.

Having said that, when selling, an EICR is not useless. Many buyers, especially cautious or first-time buyers, actually ask for one or even commission their own survey.

Volunteering an EICR will help you stay ahead of the curve and prevent delays of renegotiations later in the selling process.

Why you might still want an EICR

There are several convincing reasons to arrange an EICR before listing your house on the market.

1. Peace of mind for buyers

Buyers of today are sometimes more aware of possible hidden expenses in homeownership and are more safety-conscious. An EICR offers unambiguous, third-party confirmation that the electrics in your house are safe.

Early proactive addressing of electrical safety gives buyers more confidence, which can increase the chance of a fast sale and maybe even more aggressive offers.

2. Avoid surprises during the buyer’s survey

Should a buyer commission their own electrical survey and find safety concerns, the sale may stall, result in renegotiations or, worst-case scenario, cause the buyer to withdraw totally.

Getting an EICR upfront helps you to avoid these surprises and either:

• Address any problems before listing
• Be transparent with buyers about known issues

In any case, you still control the circumstances.

3. Speed up the conveyancing process

Should consumers or their solicitors enquire about the electrical system, a current EICR lets you quickly provide a written response. This lessens back-and-forth correspondence and can help to stop legal process delays.

4. Strengthen your negotiating position

If your electrics are in perfect condition and confirmed safe by a licensed electrician, your position to negotiate on price is better. Buyers are less likely to ask for discounts or demand that you do repairs before exchange.

How long does an EICR last?

Usually, an EICR covers up to five years. You might not need to go through the process if one has been carried out on your property during that period and no significant electrical work has been done since.

But if your last report is more than five years old or you’re not sure when the electrics were last tested, you should get a new one for openness and peace of mind.

How much does an EICR cost?

Although the size of your property and the complexity of its electrical systems will affect the cost of an EICR, these are some general price ranges as of 2025:

• 1-bedroom flat: £100–£150
• 2–3 bedroom house: £150–£250
• 4–5 bedroom house: £250–£400

Prices in London, or if your house has complicated or old wiring, could be more. Make sure you always pay a registered, qualified electrician – one who is NICEIC or NAPIT certified. If the report highlights issues that require repairs, those would incur additional costs.

What if my house is old or hasn’t been inspected recently?

Older houses might not follow the most recent wiring rules, particularly if:

• The wiring is more than 25–30 years old
• There’s an old-style fuse box instead of a modern consumer unit
• There have been DIY alterations over the years

Though it doesn’t always mean your house is dangerous, this makes an EICR more sensible. Your electrician might advise partial upgrades, such as those listed below:

• Replacing the consumer unit with one that includes RCD protection
• Improving earthing and bonding
• Updating lighting or power circuits

Sorting this out ahead helps prevent surprises down the road.

What about recently built or renovated properties?

If your home was recently built or recently rewired, or extended, you should already have a building regulations compliance certificate or an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). These are issued following completion of electrical repairs and could be sufficient in place of an EICR.

Commissioning a new EICR may still be beneficial, though, if you lack these records or they are more than five years old.

Do buyers expect an EICR?

While not mandatory, some buyers may request one, particularly if:

• The property is older
• No electrical certificates are available
• They are using a cautious or detailed surveyor
• They intend to rent the property out (where an EICR would become mandatory)

In these situations, having a current EICR on hand can show that you have taken reasonable care of the property and help to keep the sale moving ahead.

Short on time?

Working with a cash house-buying company like Sell House Fast may be the best option for sellers looking for a quick, stress-free sale, especially if the property requires modernisation or electrical updates. We buy homes in any condition, no surveys or repairs required. Get your free, no-obligation cash offer today.