Can I let an HMO in Kensington and Chelsea while the licence is being decided?

Yes, once a valid application has been submitted through RBKC's online licensing portal. The council aims to decide a valid application within about three months. Licences are usually issued for five years, but RBKC can issue a shorter one where conditions or management need correcting.

Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords in Kensington & Chelsea?

Yes. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require all landlords — including those renting properties in Kensington & Chelsea — to hold a valid EICR. The requirement has applied to all tenancies in England since April 2021. Landlords must provide a copy to tenants before they move in and to the local authority within 7 days of a written request. Failure to comply can result in a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach.

How much does an EICR cost in Kensington & Chelsea?

An EICR in Kensington & Chelsea starts from £67.99 for a studio apartment. A 1–3 bedroom property costs £94.99. Prices scale by property size up to £199.99 for an 8-bedroom HMO. The only location-based surcharge is £20 for properties within the London Congestion Charge Zone, and £10 if no free on-site parking is available.

How long does an EICR take in Kensington & Chelsea?

Most EICR inspections in Kensington & Chelsea take 2–4 hours depending on the size and age of the property. Older properties and larger installations may take slightly longer. You do not need to be present; a tenant or keyholder can provide access and the certificate will be emailed directly to you within 24 hours.

How often do I need an EICR?

The law requires an EICR every 5 years, or at each change of tenancy — whichever comes first. If the engineer recommends a shorter re-inspection interval in the report (for example 2 years on an older or complex installation), that interval takes precedence. Always keep the EICR certificate on file — you must be able to supply a copy to tenants and your local authority on request.

What happens if my EICR fails?

An EICR is classified as 'unsatisfactory' if the engineer finds a C1 (immediate danger) or C2 (potentially dangerous) code. C1 hazards must be made safe by the engineer before leaving the property. C2 observations must be remedied within 28 days and evidenced in writing to your local authority before the property can be legally let. C3 codes (improvement recommended) do not cause the EICR to fail — the property can still receive a satisfactory result. We can arrange remedial works through our network of NICEIC approved electricians.

NICEIC Approved · Certificate Within 24 Hours · Kensington & Chelsea

EICR Kensington & Chelsea — from £67.99

Electrical Installation Condition Report for landlords in Kensington & Chelsea. NICEIC approved electricians, fixed pricing, no hidden charges — certificate emailed within 24 hours.

Postcodes covered: W11, W10, SW3, W8, SW10, SW5, SW7, W14, SW1X. Same-week appointments available — book online in under 3 minutes.

from£67.99

Book EICR in Kensington & Chelsea — from £67.99 View pricing

From: £67.99
Valid for: 5 years
Certificate: within 24 hours
Accreditation: NICEIC Approved

What is an EICR?

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of all fixed electrical wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit within a rental property. A qualified NICEIC approved electrician tests every circuit from the consumer unit, checks earthing and bonding arrangements, and assigns a condition code to every observation that falls below the current British Standard BS 7671 — the IET Wiring Regulations. The result is a written report that tells you whether the electrical installation is satisfactory for continued use and — if not — what needs to be addressed and within what timeframe.

Since April 2021, every private landlord in England has been legally required to hold a valid EICR and renew it every five years. This national duty applies in Kensington & Chelsea as it does across England, and an HMO licence can add its own conditions on top. Failure to comply can result in a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach and a remedial notice from your local authority.

Legal requirement: The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to all rental properties in Kensington & Chelsea. Every landlord must hold a valid EICR, provide a copy to tenants before they move in, and supply it to their local authority within 7 days of a written request. Failure carries a civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach.

EICR in Kensington & Chelsea — local property context

Kensington and Chelsea has the highest share of pre-1900 property in London: 62.6% of homes, against 20.9% across the capital (VOA 2025). Flats dominate: about 80% of households live in purpose-built or converted flats, while terraced houses account for 12.8% (Census 2021). Nearly three quarters of the borough sits within 38 conservation areas.

Private renting is the borough's largest tenure: 39.6% of households rent privately, more than the 31.7% who own, against a London private-rented share of 30.0% (Census 2021). Our NICEIC approved electricians are experienced with the specific electrical characteristics common to properties in the W11, W10, SW3, W8, SW10, SW5, SW7, W14, SW1X postcode areas and regularly carry out EICR inspections across Kensington & Chelsea for private landlords, letting agents and HMO operators.

Postcodes covered in Kensington & Chelsea

W11, W10, SW3, W8, SW10, SW5, SW7, W14, SW1X and surrounding areas. Enter your full postcode during booking to confirm coverage and availability.

EICRs in Kensington and Chelsea: full live testing for licensed HMOs

For a licensed HMO, RBKC specifies how the inspection is done, not only that one exists. Condition 7 of its licence conditions says the EICR must cover 100% live testing of all circuits and accessories, including sockets and light fittings, to BS 7671. The electrician must be registered with a UKAS-accredited body such as NAPIT, NICEIC or ECA.

The report must be under five years old, and RBKC can ask for an emailed copy within 14 days. Its April 2026 licensing policy lists the EICR among the documents without which an application may be treated as not duly made.

That full test applies in many subdivided buildings: 23.5% of households here live in flats within converted houses (Census 2021). Book the EICR before starting the online licence application, because RBKC asks for the certificate to be ready at that point.

Property licensing in Kensington & Chelsea

Additional HMO Licensing Designation (No.1) 2023
Additional HMO · In force
Applies to:
Shared houses and flats with 3 or more people from 2 or more households that fall outside mandatory licensing, including HMO flats in purpose-built blocks. Section 257 converted blocks of flats are not covered
Area:
Whole borough
Period:
1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory HMO · In force
Applies to:
HMOs with 5 or more people from 2 or more households who share facilities
Area:
Whole borough
Period:
Run by RBKC since June 2006

Checked October 2026. Schemes and fees change, so confirm the current position on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea licensing page.

Households renting privately: 39.6% (London 30.0%); Census 2021
Households in purpose-built flats: 56.7% (London 40.3%); Census 2021
Homes built before 1900: 62.6%, the highest in London (London 20.9%); VOA 2025
Conservation areas: 38, covering nearly three quarters of the borough; RBKC

Sources

EICR pricing in Kensington & Chelsea

Fixed pricing by property size. The same prices apply in Kensington & Chelsea as across all other London boroughs — no London surcharge. The only location-based fee is the £20 Congestion Charge Zone addition for central London properties.

Prices are per property with one consumer unit and up to 12 circuits. See notes below for additional charges.

Domestic EICR — Kensington & Chelsea pricing

Description	Price
Studio ApartmentCheapest	£67.99Book
1–3 Bedrooms	£94.99Book
4 Bedrooms	£104.99Book
5 Bedrooms	£139.99Book
6 Bedrooms	£159.99Book
7 Bedrooms	£179.99Book
8 Bedrooms	£199.99Book

Additional charges (where applicable)

Parking charge if no free on-site parking is available: £10
Properties in the London Congestion Charge Zone: £20

Pricing notes

·Prices shown are for properties with one consumer unit (one fuse board). Most standard residential properties have one.
·Properties with more than one consumer unit — common in HMOs, converted flats, and larger houses — are charged an additional £49.99 per extra consumer unit. Your engineer confirms the number of consumer units on arrival.
·Each consumer unit covers up to 12 circuits. Installations with more than 12 circuits per consumer unit are charged an additional £10 per circuit above 12.

Want a detailed cost breakdown? See our full EICR cost guide →

What's included from £67.99

Every EICR we carry out in Kensington & Chelsea covers the complete fixed electrical installation at no extra cost beyond the price shown.

Visual inspection of all accessible wiring, sockets, switches and light fittings
Testing of all circuits for continuity, insulation resistance and polarity
RCD (residual current device) testing for all protective devices
Consumer unit check — type, condition, labelling and protective devices
Earthing and bonding arrangement check against BS 7671
NICEIC approved engineer — fully qualified and independently assessed
Signed EICR certificate emailed within 24 hours
Prioritised remedial recommendations with C1/C2/C3 classification

EICR Kensington & Chelsea — frequently asked questions

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EICR in nearby boroughs

We cover all 33 London boroughs. See EICR pricing and booking for areas near Kensington & Chelsea:

EICR Westminster

from £67.99 · SW1, W2, W9 …

EICR Hammersmith & Fulham

from £67.99 · SW6, W12, W6 …

EICR Wandsworth

from £67.99 · SW11, SW18, SW15 …

Book your EICR in Kensington & Chelsea

Book online in under 3 minutes. A NICEIC approved electrician confirms your appointment. Certificate emailed within 24 hours.

Same-week appointments across Kensington & Chelsea and all 33 London boroughs — or call 020 3996 1070.

Book EICR in Kensington & Chelsea — from £67.99

Fixed pricing. No hidden charges. NICEIC approved. Certificate emailed within 24 hours.