Has Westminster fined landlords over electrical safety?

Yes: 10 of the 95 civil penalties in the council's table covering 2021 to August 2025 were under electrical safety rules. Westminster's Civil Financial Penalty Policy of May 2026 sets the statutory maximum for a breach of the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020 at £40,000. That is the same maximum as for failing to license a property.

My HMO licence dates from the 2021 Westminster scheme. Do I reapply now?

Not straight away. The council says licences granted under the 2021 scheme stay valid until their own expiry dates, and renewals can go in up to three months before that date. The 2021 scheme itself was replaced by the 2026 designation from 31 August 2026.

Is an EICR a legal requirement for landlords in Westminster?

Yes. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require all landlords — including those renting properties in Westminster — 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 Westminster?

An EICR in Westminster 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 Westminster?

Most EICR inspections in Westminster 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 · Westminster

EICR Westminster — from £67.99

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

Postcodes covered: SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2. Same-week appointments available — book online in under 3 minutes.

from£67.99

Book EICR in Westminster — 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 Westminster 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 Westminster. 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 Westminster — local property context

Flats dominate Westminster's housing: at the 2021 Census only about one household in ten lived in a house (7.2% terraced, 1.8% semi-detached, 1.1% detached). A further 16.1% lived in flats or bedsits in converted or shared houses. The council's licensing evidence names mansion blocks among the buildings where it finds HMOs.

Private renting was Westminster's largest tenure at the 2021 Census. Council evidence puts rent at 75.4% of median earnings in 2022-23, against 46% across London. Our NICEIC approved electricians are experienced with the specific electrical characteristics common to properties in the SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2 postcode areas and regularly carry out EICR inspections across Westminster for private landlords, letting agents and HMO operators.

Postcodes covered in Westminster

SW1, W2, W9, W1, NW8, NW1, W10, WC2 and surrounding areas. Enter your full postcode during booking to confirm coverage and availability.

EICRs in Westminster: needed for single-household lets too

In 15 of Westminster's 18 wards, a flat let to one household, such as a family or two sharers, needs a selective licence, and the application must include an EICR. Every HMO licence application across the City must also include an EICR issued within the last five years.

After a selective licence is granted, condition 9 lets the council ask for a declaration that the fixed installation is safe, due within 21 days of the request. Sending the EICR with it is not mandatory, but the current EICR is the simplest evidence to send.

Property licensing in Westminster

Additional HMO Licensing Designation 2026
Additional HMO · In force
Applies to:
HMOs of 3 or more people from 2 or more households sharing a basic amenity, including shared flats in purpose-built blocks and converted buildings, and bedsits. Excludes mandatory HMOs and section 257 converted blocks
Area:
Whole City of Westminster
Period:
31 August 2026 to 30 August 2031
Selective Licensing Designations 2025 (No. 1 and No. 2)
Selective · In force
Applies to:
Privately rented homes that are not HMOs, such as homes let to a family, a single tenant or two sharers
Area:
15 of 18 wards: all except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square
Period:
24 November 2025 to 23 November 2030
Mandatory HMO licensing
Mandatory HMO · In force
Applies to:
HMOs of 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Shared flats in purpose-built blocks apply under the additional scheme instead
Area:
Whole City of Westminster
Period:
In place since 2006 (council notes)

Checked October 2026. Schemes and fees change, so confirm the current position on the Westminster City Council licensing page.

Households renting privately: 43.3% (London 30.0%); Census 2021
Households in purpose-built flats or tenements: 70.2% (London 40.3%); Census 2021
Homes built before 1900: 44.1% (London 20.9%); VOA 2025
Conservation areas: 56, covering over 76% of the City; Westminster City Council

Sources

EICR pricing in Westminster

Fixed pricing by property size. The same prices apply in Westminster 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 — Westminster 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 Westminster 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 Westminster — frequently asked questions

Other landlord certificates in Westminster

We also cover these landlord certificates in Westminster:

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FRA

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Commercial EICR

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Electrical Diagnostic

in Westminster

Fuse Box

in Westminster

Emergency Lights

in Westminster

Commercial Gas (CP42)

in Westminster

Boiler Installation

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Fire Safety Cert

in Westminster

Fire Alarm Install

in Westminster

Fire Door Cert

in Westminster

Extinguisher Testing

in Westminster

Commercial EPC

in Westminster

Asbestos Survey

in Westminster

Legionella

in Westminster

EICR in nearby boroughs

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

EICR Camden

from £67.99 · NW3, NW1, NW6 …

EICR Kensington & Chelsea

from £67.99 · W11, W10, SW3 …

EICR Islington

from £67.99 · N1, N7, N19 …

Book your EICR in Westminster

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

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

Book EICR in Westminster — from £67.99

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