EICR C1 vs C2 for Landlords: What's the Difference and What Must I Fix?

EICR C1 vs C2: A Landlord's Guide to Understanding Your Report

You've done the responsible thing and booked an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for your rental property. But the report comes back with technical jargon and codes like 'C1' and 'C2', leaving you with one crucial question: what does this mean, and what am I legally required to fix?

As London-based electricians specialising in landlord compliance, we find this is the biggest point of confusion and stress for our clients.

The most important thing to know is this: both a C1 and a C2 code will result in an 'Unsatisfactory' EICR.

An 'Unsatisfactory' report means your property's electrical installation does not comply with current safety standards. Under UK law, you must carry out remedial work to fix these issues.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what these codes mean for you.

---

What Are EICR Observation Codes?

When a qualified electrician inspects your property, they use observation codes to classify any defects or safety issues they find. These codes are ranked by their level of risk.

🔴 C1: Danger Present. Risk of Injury.

This is the most severe code. It means there is an immediate danger present, and someone is at risk of injury or electric shock.

• What it means: This issue needs to be made safe immediately. Often, the electrician will (or must) fix the problem on the spot (with your permission) before they even leave the property.

• Common C1 Examples:

  • Exposed live wires.

  • A broken socket with live parts accessible.

  • Overheating components that pose a fire risk.

• Your Legal Duty: Immediate remedial action is required. You cannot legally rent a property with a C1 fault.

🟠 C2: Potentially Dangerous.

This is the most common code that causes a report to fail. It means there is a defect that is not an immediate threat but could become dangerous under certain conditions (e.g., if another fault occurs).

• What it means: This issue is not an immediate emergency like a C1, but it is still a significant safety risk.

• Common C2 Examples:

  • Lack of RCD protection for sockets (this is a very common one).

  • Inadequate or faulty earthing (bonding).

  • Old wiring that is deteriorating.

  • A plastic consumer unit (fuseboard) that is not fire-rated, which is now a requirement.

  • Old bathroom with uncover Light Bulb IP20, must be replace it for Bathroom  Lighting IP65 waterproof

• Your Legal Duty: Urgent remedial action is required. The law states this work must be completed within 28 days of receiving the 'Unsatisfactory' report.

---

C1 vs C2: The Key Difference for Landlords

A C1 code means "This is dangerous right now."

A C2 code means "This could become dangerous at any time."

For you as a landlord, the result is the same: your EICR is 'Unsatisfactory', and you are legally non-compliant. You must arrange for repairs.

---

What About C3 and FI Codes?

You may also see two other codes on your report:

• 🔵 C3: Improvement Recommended.

  • This means an element of your installation doesn't meet the latest regulations, but it is not considered dangerous.

  • A C3 code will NOT cause your report to fail.

  • You are not legally required to fix C3 issues, but it is good advice for improving the safety and future-proofing of your property.

• ⚪ FI: Further Investigation Required.

  • This means the electrician could not fully inspect a part of the installation (e.g., cables hidden in a wall without access).

  • An FI code WILL result in an 'Unsatisfactory' report.

  • Why? Because the electrician cannot sign off on the safety of an installation they couldn't fully test. You will need to approve further investigation to resolve this.

My Report is Unsatisfactory. What Do I Do Next?

Don't panic. There's a clear legal process.

1. Receive the Report: Your electrician will issue the 'Unsatisfactory' EICR, detailing all C1, C2, and FI faults.

2. Get a Quote for Remedials: The electrician (or another contractor) will provide a quote to fix only the issues that caused the fail (C1, C2, FI). You are not obligated to fix C3 issues.

3. Complete the Work: You must have this remedial work completed by a qualified person within 28 days.

4. Get Proof: Once the work is done, the electrician will issue you with written confirmation (often an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate) proving the faults have been rectified.

5. Provide to Tenants: You must supply a copy of the 'Unsatisfactory' EICR and the new certificate for the remedial work to your tenants within 28 days.

Need an Honest EICR in London?

We know that landlords worry about being overcharged for unnecessary repairs. At Energy North, we build our reputation on transparency. We provide clear, straightforward EICR reports and honest, fairly-priced quotes for any remedial work.

If you need a new EICR for your rental property or have a report that's failed, get in touch with our team today. We'll give you a clear path to getting compliant, fast.