A failed EICR doesn't mean your house is about to burn down, but it does mean there are faults in your electrical installation that need addressing. Depending on the codes recorded, you may need to act within hours or within weeks — and understanding the difference is the first thing to get right.
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An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is issued as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. If yours comes back Unsatisfactory, it means the inspecting electrician found one or more defects that fall outside the standards set by BS 7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, or that require further investigation before a proper judgment can be made.
An Unsatisfactory result doesn't describe a single severity of problem. It covers everything from a loose earth connection that needs tightening to exposed live conductors that present an immediate risk. That's why reading the fault codes carefully — and understanding what they mean — matters far more than fixating on the word "failed."
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Every defect or observation recorded on an EICR is given a classification code:
A single C1 or C2 code — or any FI that remains unresolved — will result in an Unsatisfactory certificate. C3 codes alone do not fail the report, though they're worth taking seriously.
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If a C1 is recorded, the attending electrician should, in most cases, make the installation safe before leaving site. That might mean isolating a circuit, removing a damaged accessory, or advising you not to use a specific piece of equipment until repairs are carried out.
In practice, a responsible electrician won't simply hand over a certificate with a C1 on it and walk away without taking some form of immediate action. If a circuit has exposed live conductors or a fault that creates an immediate shock or fire risk, leaving it live would be indefensible. Expect the electrician to either fix it there and then, or isolate it and explain clearly what needs to happen next.
Remedial work for C1 faults needs to happen as a matter of urgency — not in a week's time when it's convenient.
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C2 faults aren't an immediate emergency, but they're not something to sit on either. Common C2 findings include absent or inadequate RCD (Residual Current Device) protection, deteriorated wiring insulation, missing bonding conductors on gas or water pipework, or an outdated consumer unit that doesn't meet current standards.
Once you receive the report, the practical next step is straightforward: get a qualified electrician to assess and price the remedial work. You're not obliged to use the same electrician who issued the report — more on that below.
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No. A C3 (Improvement Recommended) code indicates something that doesn't fully comply with current editions of BS 7671 but isn't considered dangerous under the existing installation. Older wiring methods that were compliant when installed often attract C3 codes.
That said, they're worth considering — particularly if you're a landlord, if you're planning renovation work, or if the same area of the installation has been flagged repeatedly over successive EICRs. Ignoring C3 findings indefinitely isn't always the sensible call.
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For landlords in England operating under the Electrical Safety Standards (Housing) (England) Regulations 2020, the law is specific: remedial work identified in a failed EICR must be completed within 28 days of the inspection (or sooner if the report specifies). Written confirmation that the work has been done must then be provided to tenants and, if the local authority requests it, to them as well.
For homeowners, there's no statutory deadline as such — but a C1 fault shouldn't wait, and a C2 fault should be addressed promptly as a matter of basic safety.
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This varies enormously depending on what was found. Common remedial jobs include:
In more serious cases, a partial or full rewire may be recommended — but this is not the automatic outcome of a failed EICR, and any electrician recommending a full rewire should be able to explain specifically why lesser remedial options aren't suitable.
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Any electrician registered with a Part P competent person scheme — such as NAPIT or NICEIC — can carry out the remedial work. You don't have to go back to the original inspector, and in some cases it makes sense to get a second opinion or a fresh quote.
For notifiable work (which includes consumer unit replacements and new circuits), the electrician must either be registered under a competent person scheme or the work must be notified to your local building control under Part P of the Building Regulations. Always ask for a completion certificate for any notifiable work.
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Once remedial work is complete, the electrician carrying it out should issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or, for larger work, an Electrical Installation Certificate. These documents confirm the work was done and tested.
After that, you'll need a re-inspection — either a full EICR or, more commonly, a targeted re-inspection of the areas that failed. If the faults have been properly resolved, the report can be updated or a new Satisfactory EICR issued. Make sure you retain copies of both the original Unsatisfactory report and the completion documentation. Landlords in particular need that paper trail.
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Under the Electrical Safety Standards (Housing) (England) Regulations 2020, private landlords in England must have a valid EICR in place, carry out remedial work within 28 days, and provide evidence of completion to tenants. Local authorities have enforcement powers, including the ability to issue fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliance.
If a local authority suspects a landlord is not meeting their obligations, they can commission their own inspection — with costs potentially recoverable from the landlord. This isn't a theoretical risk; local authority enforcement activity under these regulations has increased since they came into force.
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Costs vary considerably depending on what the EICR identified. Some ballpark ranges for common jobs in the North East:
These are realistic starting points, not guarantees — older properties, difficult access, or extensive rewiring work will push costs up. Always get a written quotation before work starts, and be cautious of prices that seem significantly cheaper than comparable quotes.
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Can I still live in my home or rent it out after a failed EICR?
For homeowners, there's no legal restriction on occupying your own home after a failed EICR — though common sense applies. A C1 fault should be isolated or fixed before you use the affected circuit. For landlords, you must provide tenants with a copy of the Unsatisfactory report within 28 days and complete remedial works within the same period. You cannot legally rent out a new tenancy in England without a valid, satisfactory EICR in place.
Do I have to use the same electrician who did the EICR to carry out the remedial work?
No. You're free to get quotes from other qualified electricians. The remedial work and any re-inspection can be carried out by a different registered contractor. Some people prefer this, particularly if they want a second opinion on the scope or cost of the work.
How long does a landlord have to fix a failed EICR before facing a fine?
The Electrical Safety Standards (Housing) (England) Regulations 2020 set a 28-day deadline for completing remedial work. If the local authority has to step in and carry out or commission the work themselves, they can recover costs from the landlord. Civil penalties can reach £30,000.
Will I need a full rewire if my EICR fails?
Not necessarily, and probably not in most cases. Many failed EICRs are resolved with targeted remedial work — a consumer unit upgrade, bonding conductors, RCD protection on specific circuits. A full rewire is sometimes the right recommendation for very old installations or where wiring has deteriorated throughout, but it should be explained and justified specifically, not assumed.
How do I get a new satisfactory EICR certificate once repairs are done?
Once the remedial work is complete and certified, arrange a re-inspection with a registered electrician. They'll check the previously failed items, carry out appropriate testing, and — if everything is in order — issue a new Satisfactory EICR. Keep all documentation together: the original report, the remedial work certificates, and the new EICR.
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If you've received a failed EICR on a property in the North East and want to understand your options, the team at [Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk) are happy to take a look at your report and talk through what's actually needed. No pressure, no jargon — just straight advice.