Do I legally need an electrical certificate for my home?

Homeowners are not legally required to hold electrical certificates, but they are strongly recommended. Landlords in England are legally required to have a valid EICR under the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020. Certificates are also needed for mortgage and insurance purposes in many cases.

Can I get a certificate for work that was already done?

You cannot retrospectively certify work that was done by someone else. However, you can get an EICR that documents the current condition of the installation. If the installation is found to be safe, the EICR serves as your formal record.

What if the previous owner did not leave any certificates?

This is common, especially for older properties. Book an EICR to establish the condition of the installation. If defects are found, have them remedied and the EICR updated. This gives you a fresh starting point for documentation.

Do I need certificates to sell my house?

There is no legal requirement for homeowners to provide electrical certificates when selling, but buyers and their solicitors increasingly request them. Having a recent satisfactory EICR can speed up the sale process and avoid price renegotiations.

Caution

Updated 30 August 2026

No Electrical Certificate For The Property

Your property has no electrical installation certificate and you are unsure if the wiring is safe.

What would yours cost?

We'll tell you the price for this, then find a local electrician to do it.

on your first booking

Get my instant quote

What's happening?

Electrical certificates document the safety of a property's electrical installation. The main types are: an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) issued when new wiring is installed, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) for small additions, and an EICR for periodic inspections. If your property has no certificates, it means either the paperwork has been lost or the work was never properly certified.

What usually causes it?

Previous owner lost or did not pass on the electrical certificates
Electrical work was carried out by someone who did not issue certificates
DIY electrical work done without involving a registered electrician
Property is old enough that certificates were not routinely issued (pre-2005)
Conveyancing process did not request or locate the certificates

Is it dangerous?

The absence of a certificate does not mean the electrics are dangerous — but it does mean there is no documented proof that they have been inspected and found safe. Without certification, you cannot be confident that the installation was done correctly, especially if any modifications have been made. An EICR will establish the current condition.

Can I fix it myself?

You cannot self-certify electrical work or create your own certificates. Electrical certificates can only be issued by a qualified electrician, ideally one registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, etc.). The solution is to have an EICR carried out, which will provide a formal record of the installation's condition.

When should you call an electrician?

Call an electrician for an EICR if you have no certificates for the property, if you are buying or selling, if you are a landlord (where it is a legal requirement), or if you want peace of mind about the safety of your installation. The electrician can also advise on any remedial work identified.