EICR Fail: What Happens Next? A Electrician Explains
If your Electrical Installation Condition Report has come back Unsatisfactory, it means faults or potential hazards have been identified in your electrical installation that need attention. It does not automatically mean your whole property needs rewiring, but it does mean you cannot simply file the report and move on — particularly if you're a landlord with legal obligations to meet.
Here's what actually happens next, broken down clearly.
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What Does It Mean to Fail an EICR?
An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — is issued as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. An Unsatisfactory result means the inspecting electrician found one or more observations that, in their professional judgement, bring the installation below the standard required by BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations (18th Edition).
It's worth being clear: "failing" an EICR isn't quite the same as failing an MOT. The report doesn't condemn the entire installation outright. What it does is formally document specific deficiencies, ranked by severity, that need resolving before the installation can be certified as satisfactory.
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Understanding EICR Observation Codes: C1, C2, C3 and FI Explained
Every observation on an EICR is assigned a code that describes how serious it is. These codes come directly from the methodology set out in BS 7671 and are used consistently across the industry:
- C1 – Danger Present: Requires immediate action.
- C2 – Potentially Dangerous: Requires urgent remedial work.
- C3 – Improvement Recommended: Does not cause a fail on its own.
- FI – Further Investigation: Something needs looking at more closely before a verdict can be given.
A single C1 or C2 observation is enough to make the overall EICR result Unsatisfactory. C3 observations alone will not cause a fail.
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C1 Code: Immediate Danger – What You Must Do Right Now
A C1 means there is a live risk of injury or death. Examples include exposed live conductors, missing earthing connections, or wiring that's been damaged and is accessible. If I issue a C1 during a periodic inspection and testing visit, I'm duty-bound to make the situation safe before I leave — or at minimum, disconnect the affected circuit and clearly advise the client not to use it.
As a property owner or landlord, if you have a C1 on your report, you should not be waiting around. This needs fixing now, not next week when it's more convenient. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must begin remedial work as soon as possible following a C1.
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C2 Code: Potentially Dangerous – Your Legal Deadline for Repairs
A C2 means the fault isn't causing immediate harm right now, but it could do under foreseeable circumstances. This might include an absent RCD (Residual Current Device) protecting socket circuits, deteriorating insulation, or an undersized protective conductor.
Under the 2020 Regulations, landlords in England must complete all remedial works within 28 days of the EICR being issued — or sooner if the report specifies it. That 28-day clock starts from the date on the report, not when you get around to reading it.
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C3 Code: Improvement Recommended – Do You Have to Fix It?
A C3 is an advisory. It flags something that doesn't meet current best practice or where an upgrade would improve safety, but it doesn't represent a danger under normal conditions. Think: older wiring that predates modern standards but is still functioning safely, or the absence of an RCBO in a consumer unit that otherwise has adequate protection.
C3 observations do not cause an EICR to fail. If your report only contains C3s, you'll receive a Satisfactory certificate. You're not legally required to act on C3 recommendations, but I'd always advise landlords to consider them seriously — what's a recommendation today can become a requirement when standards are updated.
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Further Investigation (FI): What Happens When the Electrician Needs to Dig Deeper
An FI code means the inspector can't fully assess part of the installation — usually because cables are concealed, a void is inaccessible, or test results are borderline and inconclusive. It's not a fail code in itself, but the EICR cannot be issued as Satisfactory until the investigation is completed.
In practice, this often means arranging a follow-up visit, sometimes involving opening up walls or ceilings. Once the investigation is done, the finding will be reclassified as a C1, C2, C3, or cleared entirely.
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Who Is Responsible for Fixing the Faults – Landlord or Tenant?
In a privately rented property, the landlord is responsible for the electrical installation — that covers the wiring, consumer unit, sockets, light fittings, and any fixed appliances provided as part of the tenancy. The tenant is not responsible for rectifying EICR faults, even if they caused damage through misuse (that's a separate civil matter).
For owner-occupied properties, the responsibility falls on the homeowner. There's no legal deadline imposed on you in the same way as a landlord, but you're living with the risk — so acting promptly is in your own interest.
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What Remedial Work Might Be Required After a Failed EICR?
This varies enormously depending on what the observations are. At the straightforward end, it might be:
- Replacing a damaged socket or fitting a missing cover
- Adding RCD or RCBO protection to unprotected circuits
- Securing loose connections in the consumer unit
- Replacing deteriorated flex or damaged wiring accessories
At the more involved end, it could mean:
- A full consumer unit (fuse board) upgrade — for example, replacing an old rewireable fuse board with a modern unit containing RCBOs
- Rewiring individual circuits where insulation has broken down
- In more serious cases, a partial or full rewire
A competent electrician should give you a clear, itemised quote for remedial works before starting.
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How Long Does Remedial Work Take and How Much Does It Cost?
There's no honest single answer here — it genuinely depends on the scope. Minor remedial work like swapping out accessories and adding an RCD might take a couple of hours. A consumer unit upgrade typically takes a full day. A partial rewire could be two to four days depending on the size of the property.
Cost-wise, minor remedials might run from around £100–£300. A consumer unit upgrade commonly sits somewhere in the £500–£900 range in the North East, though this varies with the size of the installation and access. Full or partial rewires can run to several thousand pounds. Be cautious of unusually low quotes — cheap electrical work is rarely cheap in the long run.
All remedial work on fixed wiring must be carried out by a competent person and notified under Part P Building Regulations where applicable. Using a registered electrician — NAPIT or NICEIC registered, for example — ensures this is handled correctly.
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Can You Get a Satisfactory EICR After Repairs Without a Full Re-Inspection?
Yes — and this is a common point of confusion. Once remedial works are completed, the electrician who carried out the work will typically issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or an Electrical Installation Certificate, depending on the scope of work. This documents what was done and confirms the circuits affected have been tested.
Depending on how widespread the original faults were, the original inspector may then be able to issue a revised Satisfactory EICR based on the remedials certificate, without needing to re-inspect the entire property. However, if the faults were extensive, a further inspection visit may be required. Get this agreed in advance so you're not hit with unexpected costs.
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What Happens If You Ignore a Failed EICR as a Landlord?
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, if a landlord fails to carry out remedial works within the required timeframe, the local housing authority can arrange for the works to be carried out themselves and recover the cost from the landlord. They can also issue a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
Beyond the financial risk, if a tenant or anyone else is injured or killed as a result of an electrical fault that was identified on an EICR and not remedied, the legal and personal consequences are serious. An Unsatisfactory EICR is a paper trail that shows you knew.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to fix a failed EICR as a landlord?
Under the 2020 Regulations, landlords in England must complete remedial works within 28 days of the EICR report date. If the report specifies a shorter timeframe — which a C1 observation may — you must comply with that shorter deadline.
Can I still rent out my property if it has a failed EICR?
You cannot legally let a new tenancy begin without providing tenants with a copy of a valid EICR. If your existing tenancy is ongoing and an Unsatisfactory EICR has been issued, you must still carry out the remedials within 28 days. You cannot use an Unsatisfactory report to meet your legal obligation.
Does a C3 code mean I have failed my EICR?
No. A C3 is an improvement recommendation only. A report containing only C3 observations will still be issued as Satisfactory. You only fail with a C1, C2, or unresolved FI.
Will I need a full rewire if my EICR comes back unsatisfactory?
Not necessarily — and in my experience, most Unsatisfactory EICRs do not result in a full rewire. Many are resolved by targeted repairs or a consumer unit upgrade. A full rewire is typically only recommended where the wiring itself is deteriorated throughout the property, often in older properties with original rubber-insulated or lead-sheathed cables.
Do I need a new EICR after remedial work is completed?
Not always a completely new periodic inspection. The remedial works should be certified, and in many cases the original EICR can be updated to Satisfactory based on that certification. Whether a full re-inspection is needed depends on the extent of the original faults — your electrician should advise you clearly on this before work begins.
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