Does Your London Home Need a Rewire? 7 Signs an EICR Picks Up

Many London homes still have wiring from the 1960s to the 1980s. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the best way to find out whether your installation needs repairs, a consumer unit upgrade or a full rewire. These are the signs electricians see most often.

1. Rubber or fabric-covered cables

Very old cable insulation becomes brittle and can crack, which is the most common reason for a full rewire.

2. A fuseboard with rewireable fuses

Old fuse boxes have no RCD protection, so a consumer unit upgrade is usually needed at the very least.

3. No earth on lighting circuits

Older lighting circuits were often run without an earth conductor, which limits the fittings you can safely use.

4. Too few sockets and lots of extension leads

Overloaded adaptors are a fire risk and a sign the installation has not kept up with how the home is used.

5. Scorch marks, warm sockets or a burning smell

Report these straight away and switch off the circuit if you can.

6. Lights flickering or breakers tripping often

This can mean loose connections or a fault to earth, both of which an EICR will pick up.

7. No EICR in the last five years

Landlords in England must have one at least every five years, and it is good practice for homeowners too, especially before buying or selling.

Partial rewires

A full rewire is not always needed. Partial rewires are common: a kitchen, a bathroom or one floor at a time, often alongside a new consumer unit.

EICRs and rewiring in North, East and West London

Energy North is a London electrical contractor with City & Guilds certified electricians. EICR inspections start from £100 with the certificate emailed the same day, and the team quotes for consumer unit upgrades, full and partial rewiring, EV chargers and PAT testing.