Your EICR Came Back Unsatisfactory — What Now?

You have just had an Electrical Installation Condition Report carried out on your property, and the result is unsatisfactory. The report is full of codes — C1, C2, C3, FI — and you are not sure what any of them mean, how serious they are, or what you need to do next.

This is one of the most common situations I deal with as an electrician in Rotherham. Whether you are a homeowner who has had an EICR done as part of a house sale, or a landlord who has received an unsatisfactory report on a rental property, this guide explains exactly what each code means and what action you need to take.

First, the most important thing to understand: only C1, C2, and FI codes make an EICR unsatisfactory. An EICR can have multiple C3 observations and still be classified as satisfactory. If your report is unsatisfactory, it contains at least one C1, C2, or FI finding — and those are the ones that need attention.

What the EICR Codes Mean in Plain English

C1 — Danger Present

This is the most serious code. C1 means there is an immediate danger to anyone using the electrical installation right now. Someone could be injured or killed at any time.

When an electrician finds a C1 defect, they will typically isolate the affected circuit on the spot to make it safe. You cannot leave a C1 defect unaddressed — it needs fixing immediately, ideally on the same day it is found.

Common examples of C1 defects: exposed live conductors that can be touched, a consumer unit with a missing blanking plate exposing live busbar connections, a damaged socket with visible live parts, or a complete absence of earthing on a circuit supplying metal-cased equipment.

C2 — Potentially Dangerous

C2 means the installation is not immediately dangerous under normal conditions, but could become dangerous under certain circumstances — during a fault, if the installation is overloaded, or if conditions change over time.

C2 defects need urgent remedial work, but they do not typically require same-day emergency action like a C1. However, they should not be ignored or put off indefinitely.

Common examples of C2 defects: no RCD protection on circuits that require it (such as socket circuits or circuits supplying bathrooms and outdoor areas), an old rewireable fuse box with no RCD protection, inadequate earthing or bonding that would not safely clear a fault, cables not properly supported or protected from damage, and circuits with insulation resistance below acceptable levels.

In Rotherham properties, the most common C2 findings I see are old consumer units without RCD protection and deteriorated earthing arrangements. Both are straightforward to fix but cannot be left as they are.

C3 — Improvement Recommended

C3 means the electrician recommends an improvement, but the issue is not dangerous. The installation does not meet the latest edition of the wiring regulations, but it was acceptable under the regulations that applied when it was originally installed.

A C3 observation does not make your EICR unsatisfactory. You are not legally required to act on C3 findings, but addressing them will bring your installation closer to current standards and may improve safety.

Common examples of C3 observations: lack of additional RCD protection on lighting circuits (recommended but not required for older installations), older cable colours that are still functional but no longer standard, and supplementary bonding in a bathroom that is no longer required under current regulations but was required when the installation was done.

FI — Further Investigation

FI means the electrician found something during the inspection that could not be fully assessed and needs further investigation. This is not a defect code as such — it indicates that more work is needed to determine whether there is a problem and how serious it is.

Common reasons for an FI code: a circuit that could not be fully tested because access was restricted (furniture covering sockets, locked rooms, inaccessible junction boxes), an insulation resistance reading that was borderline and needs retesting under different conditions, or a suspected fault that requires opening up an area of the installation (lifting floorboards, removing a ceiling rose) to investigate properly.

An FI code makes the EICR unsatisfactory because the electrician cannot confirm the installation is safe without completing the investigation. Once the further investigation is done, the FI will either be cleared (no defect found) or reclassified as a C1, C2, or C3.

What Landlords Must Do — The Legal Requirements

If you are a landlord with a rental property in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set out clear legal obligations.

The 28-day deadline

When your EICR comes back unsatisfactory, you must complete all remedial work within 28 days of receiving the report (or within the period specified by the electrician, if shorter). This is not a guideline — it is a legal requirement.

For C1 defects, the electrician may specify a shorter deadline because of the immediate danger. In practice, C1 issues should be addressed the same day.

After remedial work is completed

Once the remedial work is done, a qualified electrician must carry out the necessary retesting and issue either a new satisfactory EICR or an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the remedial work. You must then provide a copy of the satisfactory report to your tenants within 28 days and to your local authority within 7 days if requested.

Penalties for non-compliance

Local authorities can impose civil penalties of up to £40,000 for each breach of the 2020 Regulations. This includes failing to have a valid EICR, failing to complete remedial work within the deadline, and failing to provide copies of reports to tenants or the local authority when required.

The five-year cycle

Landlords must have an EICR carried out at least every five years, or more frequently if the previous report specifies an earlier retest date. The clock starts from the date of the last satisfactory report.

What Homeowners Should Do

Homeowners are not legally required to have an EICR (unlike landlords), but there are several situations where you might have one and need to act on the results.

Selling your home

Buyers’ solicitors increasingly request an EICR as part of the conveyancing process. An unsatisfactory report can delay a sale, reduce the agreed price, or cause a buyer to pull out entirely. Getting remedial work done before marketing your property is almost always the better approach.

After buying a home

If you have just bought a property and commissioned an EICR to check the electrics, an unsatisfactory report tells you what needs attention. Prioritise C1 and C2 defects — these are the ones that affect safety. C3 observations can be addressed over time as part of ongoing improvements.

Insurance considerations

While home insurance policies do not typically require an EICR, an unsatisfactory report that identifies known defects creates a difficult position. If you are aware of a C2 defect (such as no RCD protection) and a fault subsequently causes damage, your insurer could argue that you knew about the risk and did not address it.

What Remedial Work Typically Involves

The remedial work needed depends on the specific defects found. Here are the most common fixes for each code type.

For C1 defects

These are usually specific, localised issues: replacing a damaged socket or switch, securing exposed live conductors, fitting a missing blanking plate on a consumer unit, or replacing a section of damaged cable. Most C1 remedial work can be completed within a few hours.

For C2 defects

C2 remedial work varies more widely. Common jobs include upgrading an old fuse box to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection, improving earthing and bonding connections, replacing damaged or deteriorated cables, adding RCD protection to circuits that currently lack it, and fitting proper cable supports and protection where cables are exposed. Some C2 remedial work takes a few hours. If multiple C2 defects are found across the installation, or if the consumer unit needs replacing, it may take a full day.

For FI codes

The further investigation itself is typically quick — opening up a junction box, lifting a floorboard, or retesting a circuit. Once the investigation is complete, any defects found are coded and addressed as C1, C2, or C3 accordingly.

How to Avoid Surprises on Your Next EICR

If you are a landlord with multiple properties, or a homeowner approaching the 10-year mark since your last inspection, here are some practical steps to reduce the risk of an unsatisfactory report.

Check the age of your consumer unit. If it still has rewireable fuses or does not have RCD protection, it is likely to generate C2 findings. A proactive upgrade before the EICR is often more cost-effective than dealing with it reactively.

Test your RCD regularly. Every consumer unit with an RCD has a test button. Press it every three months to confirm it trips. If it does not trip, call an electrician — a non-functioning RCD is a serious defect.

Report problems promptly. If tenants report flickering lights, tripping circuits, or warm sockets, investigate rather than waiting for the next EICR. Early intervention prevents minor issues from becoming C1 or C2 defects.

Keep records. Every piece of electrical work should come with a certificate (EIC or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate). Keep these together with your EICR reports. They provide a complete history of the installation and make future inspections smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a C3 code mean my EICR has failed?

No. Only C1, C2, and FI codes result in an unsatisfactory report. You can have multiple C3 observations and still receive a satisfactory EICR. C3 codes are recommendations for improvement, not defects requiring mandatory action.

How quickly do I need to fix a C1 defect?

Immediately. C1 means danger is present right now. The electrician will typically isolate the affected circuit during the inspection to make it safe. The remedial work should be completed as soon as possible — ideally the same day.

Can I do the remedial work myself?

It depends on the work involved. Most EICR remedial work involves notifiable electrical work that must be carried out by a registered electrician or approved by building control. Given that the work needs to be retested and recertified, using a registered electrician is the practical choice.

What happens if I ignore an unsatisfactory EICR?

For landlords, ignoring an unsatisfactory report is a breach of the Electrical Safety Standards Regulations and can result in fines of up to £40,000 per breach. For homeowners, while there is no direct legal penalty, known defects could affect your home insurance and create serious problems if you try to sell the property.

How much does EICR remedial work cost?

This varies widely depending on the defects found. Simple fixes like replacing a socket or fitting a blanking plate may take less than an hour. A consumer unit upgrade is a bigger job. The best approach is to get a clear quote from your electrician once the specific defects are known.

Will the same electrician do the remedial work?

They can, and it is often the most efficient option because they already know exactly what needs doing. However, you are free to get quotes from other registered electricians if you prefer.

If your EICR has come back unsatisfactory and you need remedial work in Rotherham or South Yorkshire, give me a call on 07817 171954 or get in touch here. I am Mat, a NAPIT-registered electrician, and I can usually get remedial work completed quickly so you are back to a satisfactory report within the 28-day deadline.

If you need a qualified electrician in Rotherham, get in touch with MP Electrical for a free, no-obligation quote.

Looking for a qualified electrician in Rotherham? MP Electrical covers all of South Yorkshire — call 01709 645115 for a free quote.