Consumer units and distribution boards
Condition, labelling, accessibility, circuit protection, enclosure integrity and suitability of the protective devices serving the property.
Electrical safety for houses in multiple occupation
HMO EICR testing and certification.
Detailed electrical inspection and testing for licensed and non-licensed HMOs, shared houses, converted properties and communal electrical installations across London and the South East.
HMO electrical inspections
A complete assessment of the building's fixed electrical installation.
An HMO EICR examines the condition and safety of the fixed wiring serving bedrooms, shared spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, circulation areas, landlord supplies and other parts of the property included within the agreed scope.
HMOs often contain more circuits, higher electrical demand, several distribution boards and a mixture of private and communal areas. They may also have been altered repeatedly as the property changed use or occupancy.
Our inspection is planned around the actual layout and electrical arrangement of the building, with clear reporting for landlords, managing agents, licence holders and other responsible persons.
What the inspection covers
Electrical systems checked during an HMO EICR.
The precise scope depends on the building, tenancy arrangement and electrical layout. Accessible parts of the fixed installation are visually inspected and electrically tested.
Bedrooms and letting rooms
Accessible sockets, switches, lighting points and fixed electrical equipment within individual rooms and private accommodation.
Communal areas
Shared kitchens, hallways, staircases, landings, lounges, utility areas and landlord-controlled spaces included within the installation.
Earthing and bonding
Main earthing arrangements, protective conductors and bonding to incoming services are assessed for safety and adequacy.
Landlord and life-safety supplies
Fixed supplies associated with communal lighting, fire alarms, emergency lighting, access systems and other landlord equipment are assessed where included.
Circuit testing
Appropriate tests are completed to assess continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, fault protection and operation of protective devices.
Rented-property requirements
Periodic testing, records and responsible management.
Electrical installations in rented homes in England are generally required to be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years, or sooner where the previous report specifies a shorter interval.
The report should be retained by the landlord and supplied to tenants, prospective tenants or the local authority within the applicable timescales. HMO licence conditions and local authority requirements may introduce additional record-keeping or management expectations.
The inspection interval should never be treated as permission to ignore visible damage, reported faults or changes in use between scheduled inspections.
A controlled inspection
How we complete an HMO EICR.
The inspection is organised to obtain meaningful test results while managing resident access, electrical shutdowns and operational systems.
Scope and access planning
We confirm the building layout, occupancy, distribution boards, supplies and areas requiring access before attendance.
Visual inspection
Accessible equipment and wiring are checked for deterioration, damage, overheating, unsafe alterations and unsuitable installation practices.
Dead and live testing
Circuits are isolated where required and appropriate tests are completed before live verification and protective-device testing.
Digital report issued
Results are assessed, observations are classified and the EICR is issued with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome.
Occupied buildings
Testing planned around residents and essential services.
Electrical testing requires access to rooms, accessories and distribution equipment, together with temporary isolation of circuits. In an occupied HMO, this needs to be managed carefully.
We agree the access plan in advance and identify supplies that require special consideration, such as fire alarms, emergency lighting, heating controls, internet equipment, refrigeration or access-control systems.
Where a building is too large or operationally sensitive for one continuous visit, the work can be phased by floor, board or area.
Understanding the result
Observations recorded on the EICR.
The report explains the condition of the installation and classifies safety observations according to their significance.
C1 — Danger present
An immediate risk exists. The danger should be removed or isolated immediately and permanent repair arranged without delay.
C2 — Potentially dangerous
A defect could become dangerous under fault conditions or foreseeable use. Urgent remedial action is required.
FI — Further investigation
Additional inspection or testing is required without delay because the safety of part of the installation could not be confirmed.
C3 — Improvement recommended
An improvement is recommended, but a C3 observation alone does not normally make the report unsatisfactory.
Remedial support
From an unsatisfactory report to completed repairs.
Where C1, C2 or FI observations are recorded, we can review the report, provide a clear quotation and complete the required remedial work with appropriate testing and certification.
Who we work with
HMO electrical testing for property professionals.
Clear communication and usable records for everyone responsible for managing electrical safety in shared accommodation.
Private landlords
Periodic inspection and testing for individual HMOs, portfolios and newly acquired rental properties.
Managing agents
Coordinated appointments, access planning, digital reporting and remedial quotations for managed buildings.
HMO licence holders
Inspection records and supporting electrical documentation for licensing and ongoing property management.
Supported accommodation providers
Planned testing for occupied properties where resident welfare, staffing and operational continuity require additional coordination.
Related building systems
Coordinate electrical testing with other safety inspections.
An HMO may also require routine inspection and maintenance of its fire alarm, emergency lighting and other life-safety systems. These are separate from the EICR and require their own records.
Where practical, visits can be coordinated to reduce repeat access arrangements and disruption to residents.
We can also review consumer-unit condition, investigate electrical faults and quote for remedial work identified by the EICR.
HMO EICR questions
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about inspection intervals, access, communal supplies, reporting and remedial work.
Does an HMO need an EICR?
Most rented HMOs in England are subject to electrical safety requirements for rented housing. The fixed electrical installation should be inspected and tested by a qualified person at intervals of no more than five years, or sooner where the previous report specifies an earlier date. Licensing conditions or local authority requirements may also apply.
Is the communal electrical installation included?
Where the agreed scope includes communal areas, the inspection can cover shared lighting, landlord supplies, distribution boards, fire alarm supplies, emergency lighting supplies and other accessible fixed electrical equipment forming part of the installation.
Do individual rooms or flats need to be accessed?
Access is normally required to representative or relevant points throughout the installation. The exact level of access depends on the building layout, circuit arrangements and agreed scope. We confirm access requirements before the inspection.
How long does an HMO EICR take?
The duration depends on the number of rooms, circuits, distribution boards and separate supplies. Smaller HMOs may be completed within a day, while larger or more complex buildings may require a longer visit or phased testing.
Will the electricity need to be switched off?
Yes. Parts of the installation normally need to be isolated for dead testing, and protective devices may need to be operated during live testing. Shutdowns are planned to reduce disruption to residents and essential systems.
What happens if the HMO fails the EICR?
An EICR is normally unsatisfactory where C1, C2 or FI observations are recorded. We can review the report, provide a quotation and complete the required remedial work with appropriate certification.
Can you test the fire alarm and emergency lighting at the same visit?
Fire alarm and emergency lighting inspection are separate services with their own standards and records. Where practical, these visits can be coordinated with the EICR to reduce access disruption.
Who receives a copy of the report?
The person commissioning the inspection receives the report. Landlords must retain it and provide copies in accordance with the applicable rented-sector requirements, including to tenants or the local authority when required.
Can the EICR be registered with TESC?
Where applicable, EICR details can be recorded with The Electrical Safety Council Ltd so the report can be checked through its public register.
Book an HMO EICR
Tell us about the property.
Send the address, number of rooms, number of distribution boards and any access or licensing deadlines. We will confirm the likely scope and next step.
- Telephone: 0208 051 3843
- Email: info@bimsafetygroup.com
- Coverage: London and the South East
Request an HMO EICR quotation
Send us the property details and we will confirm availability and the information required.
Need an EICR for an HMO?
Book professional electrical inspection and testing for shared accommodation across London and the South East.