Do I Need a New EICR for Every New Tenancy? Changes From 30 November (Essex 2026)

charlie windsor

10m

4 min read

On 30 November 2026, amending regulations for electrical safety in England's private and social rented sectors are due to come into force. Both Houses of Parliament have approved the draft, though on 6 November 2026 legislation.gov.uk still listed it as a draft Statutory Instrument that had not yet been formally made. For landlords and tenants in Thurrock, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Upminster and across Essex, two questions matter most: do you need a fresh Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before every new tenancy, and what happens if the report has an FI (further investigation) code? Accurate as of 6 November 2026. This is not legal advice — check the made regulations and GOV.UK guidance before you rely on the new rules.

Do I need a new EICR for every new tenancy from 30 November 2026?

The draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 clarify regulation 3(1)(c) of the 2020 Regulations. From 30 November 2026, if the instrument is made as approved, a further inspection before a new tenancy is not required where an inspection took place no more than five years before the tenancy starts and the report is still current — meaning the next-inspection date on the report has not passed.

A report from a qualified person obtained outside the Regulations (for example before you started letting) can also count, if it was given to you and is still current. New tenants must still get a copy of the latest report before they move in.

Watch the next-inspection date, not only the five years. An electrician may set a shorter interval — for example three years — on an older installation. A report from 2024 whose next-inspection date was October 2026 is not current, even if it is under five years old.

What changes for FI codes on an EICR?

Under today's rules, an FI on the report requires further investigative work by a qualified person within 28 days (or sooner if the report says so). The amending regulations remove that duty to align with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. For inspections completed on or after 30 November 2026, an FI classification alone would no longer require further action under the Regulations.

There is an important saving. Draft regulation 9 says the FI changes do not apply to inspections completed before 30 November 2026. An EICR finished on 29 November with an FI item stays under the old 28-day rule, even if the 28 days run into December. C1 and C2 codes are unchanged: remedial work is still due within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.

Even when the law no longer forces an FI follow-up, an FI still means the electrician could not fully assess something. Landlords still have a duty to keep the installation up to standard while the home is let, so ask what checking the item would involve.

What stays the same for Essex landlords?

Inspections at least every five years, or sooner if the report says so.
C1 and C2 remedial work within 28 days (or sooner).
Paperwork: copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days; to new tenants before move-in; to the council within 7 days of a request; written confirmation of finished remedial work within 28 days of finishing.
Maximum penalty of up to £40,000 per breach remains unchanged.
The standard referred to becomes BS 7671:2018+A4:2026.

Our posts on the social landlord EICR deadline, Awaab's Law Phase 2 and EICRs for landlords cover related duties. Awaab's Law Phase 2 also starts on 30 November for social housing — that is a separate regime.

What should Essex landlords do before 30 November?

Find any EICR completed before 30 November with an uninvestigated FI item and arrange the investigation — the old 28-day clock still applies.
Note each report's next-inspection date. From 30 November that date decides whether the report is current for a new tenancy.
For tenancies starting soon, have the report ready for the tenant before they move in.
Do not ignore outstanding C1 or C2 work. A current report does not make an unsatisfactory installation acceptable.
Check legislation.gov.uk for a made SI before relying on the new rules, and watch for updated MHCLG guidance.

FAQ

Has the change become law yet?

Parliament has approved the draft. On 6 November 2026 legislation.gov.uk still showed it as a draft that had not yet been made. Confirm the made SI before relying on the new wording.

My October 2026 EICR has an FI. Does the change help me?

No. The saving keeps the old FI rule for inspections completed before 30 November 2026. Arrange the further investigation if it is still outstanding.

Do C1 and C2 still need fixing within 28 days?

Yes. Those remedial duties are unchanged. Only the further-investigation duty for FI codes is removed for inspections completed on or after 30 November, if the regulations are made as approved.

Need an EICR or remedial work in Essex?

CPW Electrical Solutions LTD is an electrical contractor based in Thurrock, covering Thurrock, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Upminster and the wider Essex area. We are NICEIC Approved Contractors (607863000), MCS certified (NIC602214) and certified Tesla Powerwall and Wall Connector installers, with £2m public liability and £300k professional indemnity insurance. See our EICR page, our electrical testing and compliance page and our commercial electrician page. Call 07545 571230 (phone answered 7am to 7pm, with 24-hour emergency call-outs available) or request a quote.