What Does a Failed EICR Mean?

If your EICR has come back as unsatisfactory, it means the electrician found one or more defects classified as C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous). These are issues that need fixing — they are not optional recommendations.

An unsatisfactory result does not mean your property is about to burn down. It means specific parts of your electrical installation do not meet the required safety standard and need remedial work. The report tells you exactly what those issues are, where they are, and how severe they are.

We carry out EICRs and remedial work across Rotherham and the whole of South Yorkshire. If you have received a failed report — whether from us or another electrician — here is what it means and what to do next.

Understanding the Observation Codes

Your EICR report uses a standard coding system to classify every observation:

C1 — Danger present. This is the most serious classification. It means there is an immediate risk of injury or fire right now. Examples include exposed live conductors, missing earthing on circuits, severely damaged cable with live parts accessible, or a consumer unit with active arcing or overheating. C1 observations require immediate action — ideally on the same day.

C2 — Potentially dangerous. The defect is not causing immediate danger but could become dangerous if left. This is the most common reason for a failed EICR. Examples include corroded connections (green goo in the fuseboard), missing main bonding, a consumer unit without RCD protection, deteriorated cable insulation, and reversed polarity on sockets.

C3 — Improvement recommended. These are advisory observations where the installation does not fully comply with current regulations but is not dangerous. C3 items do not cause a fail. Common examples include lack of RCD protection on older circuits or outdated cable types that are still in serviceable condition.

FI — Further investigation required. The electrician could not fully assess something during the inspection — usually because wiring was concealed or an area was inaccessible. FI items need investigating to determine whether there is a genuine issue.

Your EICR fails if it has any C1 or C2 observations. C3 observations alone will not cause a fail.

Most Common Reasons for Failing an EICR

Based on the hundreds of EICRs we carry out in Rotherham and South Yorkshire each year, these are the most common reasons properties fail:

No RCD protection. Properties wired before 2008 often have no RCD protection on their socket circuits. Current regulations require 30mA RCD protection on almost all circuits. This is typically resolved with a consumer unit upgrade.

Missing or inadequate bonding. Main bonding connects your gas pipes, water pipes, and other metalwork to the earthing system. Supplementary bonding in bathrooms and kitchens provides additional protection. Missing bonding is a C2 and is one of the easiest fixes.

Earthing issues. Loose, undersized, or missing earth conductors on circuits. This is particularly common in older properties with rewireable fuseboards.

Consumer unit problems. Overheating, green goo, incorrect fuse or MCB ratings, damaged components, or a board that no longer meets fire safety requirements (pre-2016 plastic consumer units in domestic properties).

Deteriorated cable insulation. Older cable types — particularly rubber-insulated and lead-sheathed cables — deteriorate over time. When insulation resistance drops below the acceptable threshold, the cable is no longer safe.

DIY work. Electrical work carried out by unqualified people is a frequent cause of EICR failures. Common issues include incorrect cable sizes, missing earth connections, poor jointing, and circuits that are not properly protected.

Damaged accessories. Cracked socket faceplates, broken light switches, or accessories with exposed live terminals are classified as C1 or C2 depending on severity.

What to Do If Your EICR Fails

Step 1: Read the report carefully. Your electrician should have explained the findings, but if anything is unclear, ask. Every observation is referenced to a specific location and circuit, so you should know exactly where each issue is.

Step 2: Prioritise by severity. C1 items need immediate attention. C2 items should be addressed as soon as reasonably practicable. If you are a landlord, you have a legal obligation to complete all C1 and C2 remedial work within 28 days.

Step 3: Get a quote for remedial work. If your EICR was done by us, we will give you a clear, itemised quote for the remedial work at the same time as the report. If your EICR was done by another electrician and you want a second opinion or a competitive quote, we are happy to review the report and provide our own assessment.

Step 4: Schedule the remedial work. Most remedial work can be completed in a single visit. Common jobs like fitting bonding, upgrading a consumer unit, or replacing damaged accessories typically take between two and six hours depending on complexity.

Step 5: Get a satisfactory report. Once the remedial work is complete, we retest the affected circuits and issue either an updated EICR showing the installation is now satisfactory, or an Electrical Installation Certificate for any new work carried out.

Remedial Work for Landlords

If you are a landlord with a rental property in Rotherham or South Yorkshire, a failed EICR has specific legal implications:

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must ensure that electrical installations are inspected and tested at least every five years, and that any remedial work identified as necessary is completed within 28 days (or sooner if the report specifies a shorter timeframe).

You must provide the EICR report to your tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to your local authority within seven days if requested. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 30,000 pounds per breach.

We work with landlords across Rotherham, Maltby, Wickersley, Swinton and the rest of South Yorkshire. We can usually schedule remedial work within a few days of the EICR to keep you well within the 28-day deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell my house with a failed EICR?

There is no legal requirement for homeowners to have an EICR before selling. However, if a buyer commissions one and it fails, they may use it to negotiate on price or request repairs before completion. Having a satisfactory EICR can be a selling point.

Do I need to use the same electrician for remedial work?

No. You can use any qualified, registered electrician. If you want us to review a report from another electrician and quote for the remedial work, we are happy to do so.

How much does remedial work cost?

It varies depending on what needs doing. Adding bonding is a relatively small job. A full consumer unit upgrade is larger. We give clear, fixed quotes with no hidden costs.

Will I need a full rewire?

Not usually. Most failed EICRs can be resolved with targeted remedial work. A full rewire is only necessary if the wiring throughout the property has deteriorated beyond repair.

Get Your Remedial Work Sorted

Whether your EICR was done by us or another electrician, we can help. Mat will review your report, explain what needs doing, and give you a clear quote.

WhatsApp Mat About Remedial Work

Or call 07817 171954 — we cover Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and all of South Yorkshire.