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Social housing EICRs: the 1 November 2026 deadline
Social landlords in England have until 1 November to finish the first electrical inspection on every tenancy that began before December 2025. Here is what the rules ask for, what comes next, and how to clear a backlog.
Written by Michael Simm, Co-founder and Operations Director, SEGplc. Published 26 October 2026.
What the rules say
Since 2025 the electrical safety rules that private landlords have followed since 2020 also cover social housing. The dates:
| Tenancy | Rules apply from | First inspection due |
|---|---|---|
| Granted on or after 1 December 2025 | The start of the tenancy | Before the tenant moves in |
| Granted before 1 December 2025 | 1 May 2026 | Before 1 November 2026 |
For each home, the landlord must:
- Have the fixed electrical installation inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, and get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
- Have any electrical equipment the landlord provides, such as a cooker, fridge or microwave, checked at least every five years, whatever its age.
- Give existing tenants a copy of the EICR within 28 days of the inspection, and new tenants a copy before they move in.
- Finish any remedial work the report requires within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, then send written confirmation to the tenant and the council within 28 days.
Councils can fine a landlord up to £40,000 for a breach. A landlord is not in breach just because a tenant refused access, as long as it took all reasonable steps to get in.
If you are behind
With days to go, a backlog can be cleared quickly with enough engineers and good access planning. What we see work:
- Start with the homes that have no EICR at all, then those with the oldest reports.
- Keep a record of every access attempt: the letters, calls and missed appointments. That record is how you show you took reasonable steps.
- Book the remedial work at the same time as the inspection. The 28-day clock starts when the report is issued, and C1 and C2 findings need putting right fast.
- Check the landlord-supplied appliances on the same visit, so you are not going back to every home a second time.
This is a practical guide, not legal advice. If you think you will miss the deadline, talk to your compliance lead or adviser about how to record it.
What changes next
- 30 November 2026: amending Regulations, if Parliament approves them, update the standard to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and remove the wording on “further investigative” work, in line with the new edition of the Wiring Regulations. See what Amendment 4 changes.
- 30 November 2026: government guidance says Awaab’s Law will be extended to more hazards that present a significant risk of harm, including electrical hazards, subject to the amending regulations.
Programmes we have run
We inspect and upgrade homes for housing providers and main contractors across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Recent programmes:
- 828 homes in Southwark: an EICR and an LD1 fire alarm upgrade in each, for Pilon.
- 221 homes in Brent: EICRs for Wates.
- 346 homes in East London: LD1 fire alarm upgrades for United Infrastructure.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance
- legislation.gov.uk, The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025
- legislation.gov.uk, Draft amending Regulations 2026
- GOV.UK, Awaab’s Law Phase 2: guidance for social landlords
Need it done by a date?
Tell us the deadline. We’ll tell you honestly whether we can hit it — and we usually can.