Do I need an EICR if my house was built 3 years ago?

Not yet, if you have a valid EIC from the original build. But you will need an EICR when the EIC reaches 5 years old. Set a reminder so you don't miss the deadline.

What if I've had an extension or major work since the build?

The EIC exemption only covers the original installation. Any new work should have its own EIC or MEIWC. The original circuits still need an EICR after 5 years.

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EIC vs EICR difference explained for new build properties

EIC vs EICR — what’s the difference?

These two certificates sound similar but serve fundamentally different purposes. Confusing them is one of the most common mistakes new build landlords make.

EIC — Electrical Installation Certificate. Issued when a brand-new electrical installation is completed, or when a property undergoes a complete rewire. Certifies that the new work meets BS 7671 at the time of installation. Issued by the electrician who carried out the work and typically provided as part of the Building Control sign-off process for a new build.

EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report. Assesses the ongoing condition of an existing installation. Checks whether wiring, circuits, earthing, and protective devices are still safe after years of use, wear, and potential modification. An EICR is a periodic health check; an EIC is a birth certificate.

A new build comes with an EIC, not an EICR. The EIC proves the electrics were installed correctly; the EICR proves the electrics are still in good condition after a period of use. Both are important, but they apply at different stages of the property’s life.

Think of it this way: the EIC is proof your car passed its factory quality check. The EICR is the MOT every few years to prove it is still roadworthy. A new car does not need an MOT immediately — but it will, and the same principle applies to new build electrics.

The 5-year EIC exemption rules for new build properties

The 5-year exemption for new builds

Under the 2020 Regulations, if a property has a valid EIC from a new installation or complete rewire, the landlord does not need to obtain an EICR for 5 years from the EIC date. A practical recognition that newly installed electrics are unlikely to have developed faults within the first few years.

Once 5 years have elapsed from the EIC date, a full EICR must be obtained, and the property enters the standard 5-year EICR cycle like any other rental. The validity period for subsequent EICRs runs from the date of each new report.

Key exemption rule: the EIC must cover the entire electrical installation for the exemption to apply. A partial EIC — for example, one issued for a kitchen refit, a loft conversion, or an extension — does NOT exempt the rest of the property from requiring an EICR. If only part of the installation has been rewired, the untouched circuits still need a full EICR.

This is critical and often overlooked. If you have extended a new build or had additional electrical work done since the original installation, the original EIC may no longer cover everything, and you could be out of compliance without realising it.

5-year exemption expired? Book your first EICR — prices from £99.95+VAT.

Situations where new build landlords need an EICR

When new build landlords DO need an EICR

Even with a new build, there are several situations where an EICR is required or strongly advisable:

5 years have passed since the EIC date — the exemption has expired and a full EICR is now legally required before the property can be let or continue to be let.
Only a partial rewire was carried out — if the EIC covers only part of the installation (for example, a new extension), the original circuits are not covered and need an EICR.
The property has been modified since the original installation — alterations, additions, or upgrades may mean the original EIC no longer reflects the full installation.
The EIC has been lost or is unavailable — without it, you have no evidence to satisfy a local authority request, and you will need an EICR instead.
The local authority requests proof of electrical safety — they may not accept an expired or near-expiry EIC and could require a current EICR.

If unsure whether your EIC still provides valid cover, the safest course is to arrange an EICR. It confirms the actual condition and gives you a fresh 5-year compliance window. See our EICR validity guide.

Buying a new build to let

For buy-to-let investors purchasing new builds, the EIC is one of the most important documents in your completion pack. What to check:

Confirm the EIC was issued at completion. The developer or builder should provide it as standard. If not, request in writing before you complete the purchase.
Verify the date. The 5-year clock starts from the EIC issue date, not from the date you purchased. If the build was completed 18 months before you bought it, you have only 3.5 years before an EICR is due.
Keep the EIC safe. Store a digital copy alongside other property compliance documents. You will need to produce it if the local authority asks for evidence of electrical safety.
Diary the EICR deadline. Set a reminder at least 3 months before the EIC reaches 5 years old, giving time to arrange the EICR without rushing.

If the developer cannot provide an EIC, do not assume the electrics are compliant simply because the property is new. Get an EICR immediately after completion — it protects you legally and reveals the true condition, which is also a useful negotiating tool if issues are found.

An EICR is a worthwhile investment as part of your pre-tenancy preparation, sitting alongside your landlord obligations, gas safety certificate, and EPC. Even with a valid EIC, some councils and insurers may request an EICR on first let — confirm requirements with your local authority. For full guidance see our buy-to-let EICR guide.

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FAQs about EICRs for new builds

Not yet, if you have a valid EIC from the original build. The EIC provides a 5-year exemption from the EICR requirement under the 2020 Regulations. You will need an EICR when the EIC reaches 5 years old. Set a reminder at least 3 months before the deadline so you have time to arrange the inspection without a gap in compliance.

The EIC exemption only covers the original installation. Any new electrical work — extension, loft conversion, kitchen refit — should have its own EIC or MEIWC issued by the electrician who carried out that work. The original circuits still need an EICR after 5 years. If the new work affected the original installation, get a full EICR sooner.

No. Building Control sign-off confirms regulatory compliance for the overall build — structural work, fire safety, insulation — not just electrics. An EIC is a specific electrical certificate issued by the electrician who installed the wiring. You need the EIC — not the Building Control certificate — to claim the 5-year exemption.

Correct — the EIC from the developer covers the first 5 years provided no significant alterations are made and the EIC covers the entire installation. Partial rewires do not qualify.

Year 5 is the rule. Earlier is prudent if you are letting and want the paperwork in order, or if the property has been modified since the original EIC was issued.

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