A failed EICR doesn't mean your property is about to burn down, and it doesn't always mean you're facing a huge bill. What it does mean is that your electrical installation has been found to have faults or deficiencies that need addressing — and the next steps depend entirely on what codes are on that report.
Here's a practical walkthrough of what happens after a failed EICR, written from the perspective of someone who carries these inspections out regularly across the North East.
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An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the condition of an electrical installation against the current edition of BS 7671 — the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. The inspector carries out a combination of visual inspection, dead testing, and live testing, then issues the installation with either a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory certificate.
If you've received an Unsatisfactory certificate, it means the inspection has found at least one C1 or C2 code — faults serious enough to classify the installation as not meeting the standard required for continued safe use. A report with only C3 observations is still issued as Satisfactory, which trips people up.
The Unsatisfactory certificate doesn't expire after a set period. It sits on the record until remedial works are completed and a new EICR — or in some cases a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate — confirms those faults have been resolved.
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The codes on an EICR aren't arbitrary. Each one carries a specific meaning under BS 7671:
One C1 or C2 on the report = Unsatisfactory overall. It's as simple as that.
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A C1 is the most serious code. Examples include exposed live conductors, missing earthing or bonding conductors on gas or water services, or a consumer unit with live parts accessible to touch.
In practice, a competent inspector will usually make a C1 safe before they leave the property — isolating a circuit, fitting a blanking plate, or advising you to switch something off. That doesn't fix the underlying problem, but it removes the immediate danger.
If the inspector has left without making a C1 safe, you should stop using that circuit or installation until the work is done. That's not being dramatic — it's why the code exists.
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C2 is the code most people have on a failed EICR. Common examples include absence of RCD protection on socket circuits, deteriorated wiring insulation, incorrect protective conductor sizes, or a consumer unit that doesn't meet current standards.
These aren't emergencies in the same way as C1, but they're not things to sit on indefinitely. For landlords, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set a statutory 28-day deadline for completing remedial works after receiving an Unsatisfactory report. For homeowners, there's no legal deadline — but common sense applies.
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No, not strictly. A C3 means the installation doesn't fully comply with the current version of BS 7671 but isn't considered dangerous. It's often used for older wiring practices that were compliant when installed but don't meet today's standards.
If your report is Satisfactory with only C3 observations, you don't legally have to do anything. That said, it's worth having a conversation with your electrician about whether any of those observations are heading towards becoming C2s — wiring degrades over time, and what's a C3 today may not stay that way.
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This varies enormously depending on what the report found. Common remedial works include:
After remedial works, the circuits affected must be retested to confirm the faults are resolved.
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Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords in England must complete all required remedial works within 28 days of receiving an Unsatisfactory EICR — or sooner if the report specifies it. A C1 code, for instance, may specify a shorter timescale.
Once works are complete, landlords must provide a copy of the written confirmation (usually a new EICR or a completion certificate) to tenants within 28 days of the works being finished.
Failure to comply can result in local authority enforcement and financial penalties. This isn't an area where it's worth taking a relaxed approach.
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Most failed EICRs don't require a full rewire. The majority can be resolved with targeted remedial work — swapping out a consumer unit, adding bonding conductors, replacing a few accessories.
A full rewire becomes necessary when the wiring itself is the problem throughout the property — heavily degraded insulation, old rubber or lead-sheathed cables, or pre-PVC wiring that's beyond safe service life. Your electrician should be able to tell you clearly which scenario you're in after reviewing the inspection findings.
If someone quotes you a full rewire based on a report that lists only a few C2s, it's worth getting a second opinion.
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Once remedial work is complete, the circuits that were affected need to be retested. Depending on how much work was done, this might result in:
For landlords, the documentation requirements under the 2020 Regulations mean you need written confirmation from a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NAPIT or NICEIC. That documentation needs to be provided to your tenants and retained for your records.
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Honest answer: it depends on what the report found.
These are realistic ranges, not guarantees — costs vary depending on the specific property, access, materials, and the extent of work required. Always get a written quote that references the specific codes on your EICR report.
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Can I still live in or rent out my property after a failed EICR?
As a homeowner, there's no law that forces you out of your own property — but if there are C1 codes, you should take the risks seriously and at minimum isolate the dangerous circuits. As a landlord, you can continue to rent out the property while arranging remedial works, but you must complete them within 28 days and cannot issue a new tenancy on an Unsatisfactory report.
How long do I have to complete remedial work after a C2 code?
For landlords in England, 28 days from receiving the report under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. For homeowners, there's no statutory deadline, but sooner is always better — a C2 is potentially dangerous by definition.
Do I need a completely new EICR after the remedial work is done, or just a completion certificate?
It depends on the scope of the work. A new EICR is often issued after significant remedial work, particularly if a consumer unit has been replaced or multiple circuits were retested. For minor targeted repairs, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate may suffice. Your electrician should advise you on what's appropriate and what meets the documentation requirements for your situation.
Will a failed EICR affect my home insurance or ability to sell my house?
Potentially, yes. Some insurers ask about electrical condition reports, and an outstanding Unsatisfactory certificate could complicate a claim. When selling, solicitors often request EICR documentation during conveyancing — an unresolved Unsatisfactory can delay or affect a sale. Resolving the faults and getting a Satisfactory certificate is the cleanest position to be in.
Can a different electrician carry out the remedial work from the one who did the original EICR inspection?
Yes, absolutely. You're under no obligation to use the same company. The remedial work just needs to be carried out by a qualified electrician, and ideally one registered with a recognised competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, particularly if the work is notifiable under Part P Building Regulations.
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If you've received a failed EICR in the North East and want a clear, straight-talking assessment of what it means and what it will take to resolve it, get in touch with us at [Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk). We carry out both EICR inspections and remedial works across the region and can advise you honestly on what your report actually requires.