The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to every private-rented tenancy in England, and Dover District Council enforces them across CT16 and CT17.
The 5-year rule
Every private-rented dwelling in England must have a satisfactory EICR at intervals of no more than 5 years. That is a maximum; the report can specify a shorter recommended review period (3 years is common on older stock), and if it does, that shorter period applies.
The report must be provided to:
- The tenant, within 28 days of the inspection
- Any new tenant, before they occupy
- Any prospective tenant, on request within 28 days
- The local housing authority (DDC), within 7 days on request
What "satisfactory" means
An EICR is Satisfactory only if there are no C1, no C2, and no FI (Further Investigation) codes anywhere in the schedule. C3 codes ("improvement recommended") are advisory - they do not fail the report. If you get a report back marked Unsatisfactory, you have a fixed window to fix it.
The 28-day remedial window
For any C1, C2 or FI code, remedial work must be completed within 28 days (or a shorter period if the report specifies). Within a further 28 days you must obtain a written confirmation from a qualified electrician that the works are complete and the property now complies with BS 7671. You then supply that confirmation to the tenant (within 28 days) and to DDC (within 28 days if they have asked).
If the fault is a C1 ("danger present, risk of injury"), the electrician doing the EICR is expected to make the installation safe on the spot - typically by isolating the affected circuit at the board - and then you have the 28 days to complete the full remedial.
DDC enforcement
Dover District Council can serve a remedial notice under the Regulations if you fail to comply. The notice specifies the works, gives a deadline, and can be escalated to a civil penalty of up to £30,000. In practice DDC's approach is measured - they issue notices, they follow up, and they only escalate to penalty for repeated non-compliance.
What if the tenant refuses access?
The Regulations recognise this. If you can show reasonable steps to gain access (written requests with reasonable notice, offering appointments, following your tenancy agreement) and the tenant still refuses, you are not in breach. Keep a written record.
What we do
Standard 3-bed EICR is 2 to 3 hours on-site. PDF report emailed within 24 hours. If we find C1 or C2 codes we quote the remedial work on the same day so you can move fast on the 28-day window.
Want a fixed-price quote? Send us the details or WhatsApp 07763 100 477.