Up to one in three landlords could face penalties of up to £30,000 for failing to comply with mandatory electrical safety regulations, new research by Direct Line business insurance has revealed.
According to the insurer, 32% of landlords either do not have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or are unsure whether their existing one is up to date—putting them at significant legal and financial risk.
Since June 2020, landlords in England have been required under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 to have all electrical installations in their rental properties inspected and tested by a qualified professional at least once every five years.
With the fifth anniversary of the regulation approaching in June 2025, a wave of EICRs are now due for renewal. Yet Direct Line warns that 21% of landlords are unaware that non-compliance could result in fines as steep as £30,000.
Jonny McHugh, Landlord Product Manager at Direct Line, issued a stark warning: “As we approach the fifth anniversary of the introduction of compulsory EICRs for private rental properties, we are urging landlords to check all their paperwork to ensure it’s up to date.
“Failing to comply not only risks fines but can also invalidate insurance policies and create complications when attempting to repossess a property.”
Widespread Compliance Gaps
The study also uncovered troubling knowledge gaps among landlords. While 68% say they update their EICR every five years, a quarter (25%) admit they are uncertain of their report’s validity. An additional 4% openly acknowledge that they have either an expired or no EICR at all.
And electrical safety isn’t the only area of concern. Only 67% of landlords surveyed are aware of the requirement to hold a valid Gas Safety certificate for properties with gas appliances. Meanwhile, just 61% know they need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
Most alarmingly, only 10% of landlords could correctly identify all the legally required documents they must provide to tenants.
The findings suggest a pressing need for better awareness and education among landlords about their legal obligations—especially as enforcement authorities have the power to impose stiff penalties for non-compliance.
Landlords are urged to act now to review their safety documentation and avoid costly repercussions as the EICR renewal deadline looms.