Selling a Flat in London: Do You Need an EICR?

If you are selling a flat or house in London, sooner or later the buyer's solicitor or surveyor asks about the electrics. An EICR is not a legal requirement for a sale in England, but it often decides whether the sale goes smoothly or stalls over a list of questions. Here is when it is worth getting one and what buyers look for.

Is an EICR a legal requirement when selling?

No. Unlike an Energy Performance Certificate, there is no law that says a seller must provide an EICR. The legal duty to hold a valid EICR applies to private landlords. But the standard property information forms ask about electrical work and certificates, and buyers' solicitors increasingly ask for evidence that the installation is safe.

When it is worth getting one before you sell

• The flat has been let. If it was rented out, a buyer will expect to see the landlord EICR, and an investor buyer will need a valid one to keep letting it.
• The wiring is old. An older fuse box or visible old cable is the first thing a surveyor flags. An EICR turns a vague worry into a clear report.
• Work was done without paperwork. A kitchen or bathroom refit with no certificate raises questions. An EICR shows the current state of the whole installation.
• You want to avoid price chipping. A buyer who finds problems late often asks for money off. Knowing the result first lets you fix it or price it in.

What buyers and surveyors look for

Surveyors note the age and type of the consumer unit, whether there is RCD protection, and any obvious faults. Solicitors want certificates for any notifiable work, such as a new consumer unit or rewire, and will ask about anything missing. A satisfactory EICR, or an unsatisfactory one with the remedial work done and certified, answers most of these questions in one document.

If the EICR finds problems

Any C1, C2 or FI codes make the report unsatisfactory. You can fix them before marketing the property, or share the report and agree a price with the buyer. The most common fix in London flats is a consumer unit upgrade, which comes with its own installation certificate that buyers' solicitors are happy to see.

Booking an EICR before a sale

Energy North is a registered electrical contractor working across North, East and West London. EICRs start from £100, the report is emailed the same day, and booking is usually within 48 hours, which helps when a sale is moving fast. Buyers are increasingly asking about home charging too, and we can advise on EV charger installation at the same visit.

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