EICR: don’t lose your spark

2021 was a landmark year, marking the point where the Scottish Repairing Standard made it mandatory for all private tenancies to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

Fast forward to 2026 and that five-year expiry date is looming so it’s important to check and action as it won’t be considered an oversight – it’s a breach of the Repairing Standard that carries heavy financial fines and legal weight.

The consequences of an expired EICR in the Scottish PRS include:

• Up to £30,000 fine: Local authorities have the power to issue civil penalties of up to £30,000 for non-compliance with the Repairing Standard

• Housing and Property Chamber (HPC): Tenants can take landlords to the First-tier Tribunal if the property fails to meet the Repairing Standard. An expired EICR is an "open and shut" case for the tribunal.

• Insurance voids: Most landlord insurance policies in Scotland require the property to be legally compliant. If an electrical fire occurs and your EICR expired even a week prior, your insurer may refuse the claim.

Because so many local Aberdeen city and shire landlords complied at the same time in 2021, we’re seeing a significant surge in demand. Considering contractor availability, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of your legal obligations as a landlord.

Note that the electrician used to conduct an EICR matters. The electrician should be registered with a UKAS-accredited “Competent Person Scheme” such as SELECT or NICEIC. If you use an electrician who’s not a member, the landlord is legally responsible for manually checking their qualifications, insurance and experience.

As your property management partner, the team at EPIC can take a portion of the stress away:

1. Audit and alert – we review your portfolio’s compliance status and flag expiring certification

2. Qualified electricians – we coordinate with vetted and certified electricians to ensure inspections are booked in ample time

3. Remediation management – if your report comes back with C2 (urgent) codes, we manage the repairs immediately to move you to “satisfactory” before your current certificate expires

For full peace of mind, check your EICR files today. If it’s dated 2021, contact us to help.

01224 645 500 | epicpropertyservice@gmail.com | LinkedIn