What it is
Main protective bonding connects metal gas and water pipes and other extraneous parts to the main earthing terminal, so that in a fault they can't sit at a dangerous voltage. It's often disturbed by plumbing or gas work. This inspection checks the earthing arrangement and bonding conductors, and tests their continuity. Improvements are quoted separately.
What's included
- Visual check of earthing and bonding
- Continuity testing
- Written findings
Not included
- Installation of new bonding (quoted separately)
- Full EICR
Who needs it
- Properties where plumbing or gas pipes have been changed
- EICRs flagging missing or undersized bonding
What you'll receive
Written findings, or a Minor Works Certificate if improvements are carried out.
How often
When concerns arise or after alterations.
What the rules say
Each point is labelled so you can tell what's law, what's a British Standard, and what's good practice or comes from your lease, licence or insurer.
- Technical standardUK (BS 7671)Awaiting professional review
Main protective bonding
BS 7671 requires metal services entering the building that could introduce a different earth potential, such as water and gas pipes, to be connected to the main earthing terminal by main protective bonding conductors. Missing or undersized bonding is a common EICR observation.
Source: IET (current BS 7671) (opens external site): Ensure you are up to date with BS 7671
- Technical standardUK (BS 7671)
What makes a report unsatisfactory
C1 (danger present) and C2 (potentially dangerous) make the overall result unsatisfactory. On reports issued to BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026), C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation advised) don't affect the overall result. Older reports used 'further investigation required without delay', and an FI made them unsatisfactory.
Sources: IET model EICR form (opens external site): BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 model Electrical Installation Condition Report form; IET Wiring Matters (opens external site): Further investigation (Wiring Matters, issue 110, July 2026); IET (current BS 7671) (opens external site): Ensure you are up to date with BS 7671
- Legal requirementEngland
Do remedial or investigative work within 28 days
Where the report requires remedial work or further investigation, a qualified person must carry it out within 28 days, or within any shorter period the report gives. The landlord then gets written confirmation that it's done and sends it, with the report, to the tenants and the council within 28 days of completion.
Sources: 2020 Regulations (opens external site): Electrical Safety Standards in the Private and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312, as amended); GOV.UK guidance (opens external site): Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance (published 1 November 2025)
Before your appointment
- Make the gas and water meters, the incoming supply and the consumer unit accessible.
If something's found
- Missing or inadequate bonding is quoted for and certified once corrected.
- Anything dangerous is reported to you straight away, with options to make it safe.
- Further work is quoted before we do it, so nothing is added to your bill without your agreement.
- Completed work is certified, and notified to building control where the law requires it.
What affects the price
- Distance between the main earthing terminal and the services
- Access under floors or through walls
- Making good afterwards
Read more
- EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI (updated for 2026)
What each code means, which ones fail a report under the 2026 rules, and what landlords must do about each.
- Unsatisfactory EICR? What to do next, step by step
The order to do things in, the deadlines for landlords, and the paperwork that proves the work is done.