EICR for Devon Holiday Lets: Coordinating Your Electrical Inspection
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the accepted standard for demonstrating your holiday let's fixed wiring is safe for guests. Holiday let owners in England are not subject to the same statutory mandate as residential landlords, but most insurers and letting agents require a current EICR as a condition of cover or management agreement. I coordinate EICR inspections for Devon holiday lets alongside CP12, PAT testing and fire safety checks to reduce access days and keep compliance records in one place.
What an EICR inspection covers
A qualified electrician inspects and tests the fixed electrical installation: consumer unit, wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and any fixed equipment. The inspection does not cover portable appliances with plugs. PAT testing is a separate check that covers kettles, toasters, irons and similar items.
- Consumer unit (fuse board): condition, correct specification, labelling and RCD protection.
- All fixed wiring: checking for deterioration, damage or outdated materials.
- Sockets, switches and light fittings: condition and correct earthing.
- RCDs: tested to confirm they trip correctly and within the required time.
- Circuit breakers: correct ratings for the circuits they protect.
- Earthing and bonding, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens and outbuildings.
- Fixed electrical equipment: shower units, cooker connections, extractor fans.
For a full explanation of the legal position and what the C1, C2, C3 codes mean, see the EICR guide for holiday let owners. For a broader overview of electrical safety alongside PAT testing, see electrical safety for Devon holiday lets.
How much does an EICR cost in Devon?
For a standard one to three bedroom holiday let with a single consumer unit, an EICR typically costs between £120 and £200. Factors that increase the cost include:
- Larger properties with multiple consumer units or a high number of circuits.
- Older wiring, especially pre-1970s or where previous owners have made incremental additions over time.
- Annexes, outbuildings, hot tub circuits or EV charge points included in scope.
- Properties that have not had an EICR before, where more initial circuit testing is required.
The inspection typically takes two to four hours for a standard property. Power needs to be off for sections of the test, so the property must be unoccupied. Scheduling the EICR alongside a CP12 gas inspection on the same access day avoids a separate visit and reduces total access coordination.
Combining your EICR with CP12, PAT and fire safety
Most Devon holiday let owners need to renew several compliance certificates on a similar cycle. Coordinating them together on a single access day is the most practical approach, particularly for properties that are continuously let or have restricted access windows between changeovers.
Fixed wiring inspection. 2 to 4 hours. Power off for parts of the test.
All gas appliances and flues inspected. Around 1 hour for a standard property.
Portable appliances with plugs. Can be done at the same visit or a separate session.
Written assessment covering escape routes, alarms and fire safety provisions.
I coordinate access, manage communication with registered tradespeople, and keep all certificates together. See the holiday let compliance audit for how this works in practice, or the gas safety (CP12) page for the annual gas check.
What happens after the EICR?
If the report is satisfactory, the certificate is valid until the date shown on the report, typically five years from the inspection. Keep the original, store a digital copy, and share it with your letting agent.
If the report identifies issues, the coded system tells you what is urgent and what can be planned in:
Must be fixed before the property is used again. Do not admit guests until remedial work is confirmed complete. The electrician will advise what is needed and whether a follow-up inspection is required.
Urgent but not immediately dangerous. Should be addressed before the next inspection, ideally within weeks rather than months. Your insurer may require evidence that C2 items are being resolved.
Does not meet current best practice but is not unsafe. Plan it in for the next maintenance cycle. A C3-only result is still a satisfactory EICR.
After remedial work on C1 or C2 items, a minor works certificate or follow-up inspection confirms the installation is satisfactory. Keep all remedial paperwork alongside the original EICR. They are part of the same compliance record.
Keeping your EICR records
Compliance records are only useful if you can produce them quickly when an insurer, agent or booking platform asks. A certificate left in a folder at the property is not a practical compliance record for a remote owner.
- Store the EICR as a PDF in a cloud folder alongside your CP12, PAT testing record, fire risk assessment and EPC.
- Share a copy with your letting agent so they can respond to requests from booking platforms without waiting for you.
- Set a calendar reminder six months before the EICR expiry date so coordination can be planned around your booking calendar rather than rushed.
- Keep any remedial work certificates alongside the original EICR, not separately. They are part of the same compliance record.
- If you change agents or sell the property, transfer the full compliance folder. Certificate history has value when demonstrating the property has been properly maintained.
Areas covered for EICR coordination in Devon
EICR coordination is available across the main Devon holiday let areas. I manage access, liaise with the registered electrician and keep the compliance record updated.
Properties just outside these areas are considered where the visit makes practical sense.
Related compliance pages:
Common questions about EICRs in Devon
How much does an EICR cost for a holiday let in Devon?
For a standard one to three bedroom holiday let with a single consumer unit and no outbuildings, expect to pay between £120 and £200 for an EICR. Larger properties, older wiring, annexes or hot tub circuits add cost because more circuits need testing. The exact figure depends on the property and the electrician. Combining the EICR with your CP12 gas safety check on the same access day typically saves on the overall coordination cost.
Can an EICR and a CP12 gas safety certificate be done on the same day?
Yes, and this is usually the most practical arrangement. Scheduling a gas engineer and an electrician on the same access day reduces the number of times you need to organise access to the property and means your certificates are renewed together. Both trades work independently, so there is no conflict. An EICR typically takes two to four hours. A CP12 inspection for a standard property takes around one hour.
How do I choose a qualified electrician for an EICR in Devon?
The electrician must be registered with a government-approved competent person scheme. NICEIC, NAPIT and the Electrical Contractors' Association are the main ones. You can check registration status on the relevant scheme's website using the electrician's name or company. Always ask for a copy of the completed EICR report, not just a verbal pass. Confirm they are insured for the specific work and check that the report carries their scheme registration number.
How should I store my EICR certificate?
Keep a digital copy alongside your CP12, PAT testing records, fire risk assessment and EPC in a single compliance folder you can access quickly. A PDF in cloud storage works well for remote owners. Your insurance policy may specify how long you need to retain records — five years is common. If you use a letting agent, share a copy with them so they are not chasing you at short notice when a booking platform asks for it.
Does an EICR cover an annexe, outbuilding or hot tub circuit?
Not automatically. An EICR covers the fixed wiring installation that is inspected and tested within the agreed scope. If an annexe or outbuilding has its own consumer unit or wiring not included in the original inspection, it needs to be covered separately or added to the next inspection scope. Hot tubs and EV charge points often have their own circuits that need periodic checking. Clarify the scope with your electrician before the inspection so nothing is missed.
Important
The information provided on this page is for general guidance only. It does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice.
Compliance requirements can vary depending on property type, location, and individual circumstances. You should always confirm obligations with the appropriate qualified professional or relevant authority.