Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) in Bath and North East Somerset

Landlords in Bath and North East Somerset must follow the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The first deadline started on 1 April 2021, and private rented homes need a valid EICR at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says sooner. Our electricians are registered with a competent person scheme, so the inspection meets the standard expected by local authorities and letting agents. If a report is requested by the council, it has to stand up to scrutiny, which is why the detail in the observations matters.

The district has a very large owner-occupied base, with 66% of households in Bath and North East Somerset living in homes they own, but the rented sector still matters. Converted terraces, flats, and older houses near Bath Spa railway station often come with mixed wiring ages, and terraced stock makes up 32.3% of Bath's homes while flats sit at 31.7%. That kind of housing pattern often means more circuits, more alterations, and a greater chance of hidden defects behind decorative finishes. homedata.co.uk records 2,072 sales in Bath and North East Somerset in the last 12 months to May 2026, so homes change hands often enough for electrical checks to matter before, during, and after a tenancy.

Bath's local context adds pressure too. The city introduced a congestion charging zone in March 2021, the first outside London, and Bath Spa railway station links the district with London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads, and Cardiff. That flow of tenants, commuters, and short-term occupiers means landlords need paperwork that is current and easy to produce. Our reports give a plain decision on the installation, then set out the work needed if the result is unsatisfactory.

An unsatisfactory EICR does not mean every circuit has failed, but it does mean the installation cannot be treated as fully compliant. C1 findings need immediate danger control, while C2 findings need remedial work within 28 days, or sooner if the electrician has set a tighter deadline in the report. Landlords must give tenants a copy of the report within 28 days, then supply the local authority with evidence if the council asks for it. If the electrical work is not completed, the council can step in and issue a penalty of up to £30,000 per breach.

In Bath and North East Somerset, older terraces and converted flats are common places for C2 findings because many properties have seen changes over decades. We often come across poor earthing, outdated consumer units, or circuits that have been extended without enough documentation. If a report comes back unsatisfactory, our team explains the result in plain language and sets out what needs to be done next. That usually means making dangerous items safe first, then returning for a re-inspection after the repairs are complete.

Tenants still have the right to live in a safe property while the landlord arranges the work. A C1 fault can mean an immediate isolation of the affected circuit, and a C2 fault often leads to urgent repairs before the installation can be signed off again. Where an FI code appears, we go back to gather the missing information rather than guessing. That discipline matters in Bath, where older buildings, listed facades, and mixed refurbishment work can hide more than they reveal at first glance.

Our EICR prices start from £120, and the final fee depends on the size and layout of the property. A one-bedroom flat near Bath Spa railway station is usually quicker to test than a larger house with several circuits, an extension, and outbuildings. Older homes built with Bath Stone or later converted from terraces can also take longer because the wiring has usually changed several times. We quote the price upfront so there are no surprises on the day.

Several factors change the cost. The number of consumer units matters, as does access to loft spaces, basements, and enclosed areas where circuits are hidden. Properties with many sockets, multiple RCDs, or a mix of old and new wiring need more time from our electricians, and that time is built into the price. In Bath and North East Somerset, that extra work often turns up in listed buildings, split-level flats, and homes that have been adapted for modern use.

After the test, we issue the report and list any remedial work separately if something needs fixing. That way the inspection result stays clear, and the repair quote only covers the items that the EICR has identified. If the report is satisfactory, you have a clear record for the next 5-year cycle or for a sale file. If it is unsatisfactory, we can talk through the findings and arrange the next stage without delay.