Use a qualified person, retain the report and provide it to the tenant. Existing tenants normally need the report within 28 days; new tenants need it before occupation. Required investigation or remedial work is normally due within 28 days or sooner if the report says so.
Check scope, competence and outcome
The report must relate to the correct property and installation. Read limitations and observations as well as the overall result.
- Use a qualified and competent person for the required inspection. Keep their details and check that the report identifies the dwelling accurately.
- Read C1, C2 and FI findings and ask what immediate precautions are needed. Do not leave a dangerous installation in use while waiting for routine paperwork.
- Use the next inspection date in the report where it is sooner than the normal five-year maximum.
Track remedial work to evidence
An unsatisfactory outcome needs a clear work and verification trail.
- Arrange required investigation or remedial work within the applicable 28-day period or the shorter period specified in the report.
- Obtain written confirmation of completion and supply the required report and confirmation to the tenant and local authority as the guidance requires.
- Keep the original findings, subsequent work and final evidence together. A new invoice without a description of the resolved observations is difficult to rely on.
Provide reports and manage access
Document provision is separate from commissioning the inspection.
- Give an existing tenant the report within the applicable 28 days and a new tenant the report before occupation. Check other request-based provision duties in the official guidance.
- Offer workable inspection appointments and record attempts where access is refused. Obtain advice on lawful access steps; do not force entry for a routine test.
- Check appliances separately. Do not turn provisions specific to social housing or an insurer's condition into a claim that every private rental needs the same annual PAT schedule.
Example: an FI observation remains open
A fictional report records further investigation of a circuit. Replacing a socket elsewhere does not close that observation. Ask the electrician to investigate the identified issue, record the result and complete any resulting remedial work.
What to do
- Check the address, installation scope, outcome and next-test date.
- Arrange required investigation and remedial work.
- Keep written completion evidence and supply the required copies.
Evidence to keep
- Full EICR
- Remedial confirmation and service evidence
Sources and guidance
- Electrical safety standards: landlord guidanceUK Government · checked 20 October 2026