Getting an EICR back with problems flagged is not an unusual outcome. In fact, identifying issues before they become serious is the whole point of having the inspection. The important thing is knowing what the codes mean, what your legal obligations are, and how to get the situation resolved efficiently. Here is what you need to know.
What the condition codes actually mean
The EICR uses four codes to classify anything that the electrician has identified during the inspection:
- C1 — Immediate danger has been found. The installation is not safe to continue using and the issue must be resolved before the property can be occupied.
- C2 — A potentially dangerous condition has been identified. This does not necessarily mean the risk is immediate, but remedial work must be completed within 28 days.
- C3 — An improvement is recommended. The installation has passed, but the electrician is flagging something worth addressing when the opportunity arises.
- FI — Further investigation is needed. The electrician has found something that requires more detailed assessment before a conclusion can be reached.
A report containing only C3 observations is a pass. A C1 or C2 means the property has not passed, and work is required before a satisfactory certificate can be issued.
What landlords are legally required to do
If your EICR contains a C1 or C2, you are legally required to have the remedial work completed within 28 days of the inspection date, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter timeframe. Once the work is done, you must provide written confirmation to your tenant and to the local council within that same window. Failure to act carries penalties of up to £40,000.
What if you do nothing?
Ignoring a failed EICR is not an option. Beyond the financial penalties, if an electrical incident — a fire, a shock, an injury — occurs in a property where known defects were not addressed, the legal and insurance exposure is substantial. Most home insurers will decline to pay out on a claim where an EICR has flagged issues that were not acted upon.
Does the same electrician carry out the repairs?
There is no requirement to use the same electrician, but there are practical advantages to doing so. An electrician who has already inspected the property knows exactly what is wrong and where, which often makes the repair process faster and more straightforward. Once the work is completed, they will issue the appropriate certification, either a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for smaller repairs or an Electrical Installation Certificate if more substantial work has been done.
What kinds of issues come up most often?
The most common remedial works following a failed EICR include replacing an old rewirable fuse board with a modern consumer unit, adding RCD protection to circuits that currently have none, replacing deteriorated or damaged sockets and light fittings, and improving earthing or supplementary bonding arrangements. None of these are unusual jobs, and most can be completed within the required timeframe without significant disruption to the property.
Next steps
If your EICR has flagged anything, whether a C1, a C2, or something requiring further investigation, get in touch and I will talk through what the work involves, how long it is likely to take, and how quickly I can get it scheduled.
