Electrical safety inspections became mandatory for existing private tenancies in England from 1 April 2021, and an EICR lasts a maximum of 5 years. That means a large wave of London landlords’ first certificates is expiring across 2025 and 2026. If yours was done in the 2020–2021 rollout, it is very likely due now — and letting it lapse creates a compliance gap. This guide helps you check your date and renew in good time.

If you are a London landlord, 2026 is the year the electrical safety clock catches up with a lot of people. When the rules first applied to all existing tenancies back in April 2021, thousands of landlords arranged their first EICR — and five years on, those certificates are reaching their expiry date. If you have not checked yours recently, now is the moment.

Why so many London EICRs are expiring in 2026

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 rolled out in two stages:

• New tenancies were covered from 1 July 2020.
• All existing tenancies were covered from 1 April 2021.

An EICR is valid for a maximum of 5 years. So the large group of landlords who arranged their first inspection to meet the April 2021 deadline are now hitting the five-year mark — which lands squarely in 2025 and 2026. It is the single biggest renewal wave since the rules began, and it is easy to miss if you are not tracking the date.

How to check when your EICR expires

You do not need to guess. Your expiry date is easy to find:

• Look at the report itself. Every EICR states the date of the inspection and the recommended date for the next inspection on the front page.
• Remember the date can be shorter than 5 years. If the inspector had any concerns, they may have set a re-inspection date sooner than the full five years — always follow the date on your specific report.
• Check your records for the 2020–2021 period. If your first EICR was carried out then and you have not renewed since, it has either just expired or is about to.

If you cannot find your report, that is itself a reason to act, you may need a fresh inspection to confirm your position.

What happens if your EICR has expired?

An expired EICR means your property no longer has valid proof that its electrical installation is safe, and that carries real consequences for a London landlord:

• You are non-compliant. Local councils enforce the Regulations and can impose significant financial penalties for a breach. (For the full breakdown of the rules, codes and penalties, see our complete [EICR Certificate London guide].)
• Insurance risk. A lapsed certificate can affect a landlord insurance claim if an electrical incident occurs.
• Possession problems. With Section 21 abolished from 1 May 2026, landlords rely on Section 8 grounds, and an electrical compliance gap can weaken a possession claim.
• Tenant safety. Most importantly, an out-of-date inspection means any faults that have developed since your last check have gone unnoticed.

The good news: renewing is straightforward, and getting ahead of the date removes all of this risk at once.

When should you renew?

The smart approach is to book your next EICR two to three months before it expires. Renewing early means:

• Your certificate never lapses, so there is no compliance gap.
• There is time to complete any remedial work before the old certificate runs out or a new tenant moves in.
• You avoid the last-minute rush as the 2026 renewal wave builds.

There is no penalty for renewing early, and the new report simply runs from the new inspection date.

Renew your London EICR with Property Safety Ltd

Not sure whether your certificate is still valid? Don’t leave it to chance. Property Safety Ltd carries out EICR inspections right across London and the M25, issues your report promptly, and explains clearly what — if anything — needs action.

Book your London EICR online in minutes, or call us and we’ll sort it. Clear pricing, qualified engineers, no fuss.

Ready to renew? [Book online] or call us today and get your 2026 electrical compliance sorted before the deadline reaches you.