Home/Advice/Do You Need an EICR to Rent Out Your House in West Sussex?
Advice · West Sussex & West Sussex
If you are letting a property in West Sussex, the short answer is yes: an Electrical Installation Condition Report is now a legal requirement before tenants move in. This guide explains the rules, what the inspection actually checks, and what it costs so you are not caught out at the last minute.
Since 1 April 2021, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 have applied to all existing tenancies in England, including every let property in Chichester, Horsham, Worthing and the rest of West Sussex. You must have the fixed wiring inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, and provide the report to your tenants.
You also need to give a copy of the EICR to the local council within seven days if they request it. Failure to comply can lead to a financial penalty of up to 30,000 pounds per breach, so this is not a corner worth cutting.
An EICR is a thorough examination of the fixed electrical installation: the consumer unit (fuse board), the wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and earthing arrangements. It is not about your tenant's kettle or telly, it is about the parts of the system built into the property.
The report grades any issues found using standard codes. Anything coded C1 or C2, or marked FI (further investigation), means the report is unsatisfactory and remedial work is needed.
For a typical two or three bedroom home in West Sussex, an EICR usually costs somewhere between 150 and 300 pounds, depending on the size of the property and the number of circuits and consumer units. Larger houses, HMOs or properties with multiple boards sit at the higher end.
The inspection itself normally takes two to four hours, and a few circuits will be switched off during testing, so it is worth warning your tenants in advance. If remedial work is flagged, you have 28 days from the report date (or sooner if specified) to carry it out and obtain written confirmation that the installation now meets the standard.
An unsatisfactory report is common, particularly in older Sussex housing stock with original wiring or an outdated fuse board. It does not mean disaster, it means specific items need attention. Typical remedial jobs include replacing an old consumer unit with one fitted with RCD protection, sorting out poor earthing and bonding, or repairing damaged accessories.
Always ask the electrician carrying out the report to quote separately for any remedial work so you can see exactly what you are paying for. Once the work is done you should receive a confirmation letter or minor works certificate to keep alongside the EICR for your records and your tenants.
Published 28 June 2026
At least every five years for a rented property, or sooner if the previous report recommends a shorter interval. You should also have one done at a change of tenancy if the existing report is near expiry.
If the installation was certified within the last five years with an Electrical Installation Certificate, that can often satisfy the requirement until the next due date. Keep the original certificate safe, as you will need to show it to tenants and the council if asked.
No. The report must be carried out by a competent, qualified person, typically an electrician registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, who has the testing equipment and knowledge to assess the installation safely.
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