Receiving an unsatisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can feel alarming — but it doesn’t necessarily mean your property is dangerous or that you need to spend a fortune on remedial work. What it does mean is that certain observations have been made that require attention, and the next steps depend on exactly what’s been found.
Here’s what an unsatisfactory result actually means, what you’re required to do, and how the process works from here.
What makes an EICR unsatisfactory?
An EICR is recorded as unsatisfactory when it contains one or more observations coded as C1, C2, or FI. A report containing only C3 codes must be recorded as satisfactory — even if improvements are recommended.
The three codes that make a report unsatisfactory are:
- C1 — Danger present. A risk of injury exists and the fault requires immediate action. In practice, this means the inspector should make the circuit or installation safe before leaving — either by isolating the circuit or, where that’s not possible, advising the client to isolate it themselves. A property should not be left with a live C1 in place.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous. Not an immediate danger, but a fault that could become dangerous. Urgent remedial action is required. For landlords, this typically means within 28 days of the report date.
- FI — Further investigation required. The inspector was unable to determine whether a defect exists without further investigation. FI items need to be investigated and resolved — the outcome will determine whether a defect is present and, if so, how serious it is.
C3 observations — improvements recommended — do not make a report unsatisfactory and carry no legal obligation to carry out the work.
What are you required to do?
The answer depends on whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord.
Homeowners
There’s no legal obligation on homeowners to carry out remedial work following an unsatisfactory EICR — though it’s obviously in your interest to address anything coded C1 or C2. If you’re selling a property, a buyer’s solicitor may require evidence that observations have been resolved before exchange, so it’s worth acting promptly.
Landlords
The rules are much stricter for private landlords in England. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020:
- Remedial work must be completed within 28 days of the report date — or sooner if the report specifies a shorter timescale (which it should for C1 items).
- You must provide written confirmation that the remedial work has been carried out to your tenant within 28 days of completing it.
- If the local authority requests a copy of the EICR, you must supply it within 7 days.
- Failure to comply can result in a financial penalty of up to £30,000.
These obligations apply whether your property is occupied or between tenancies — you cannot let a property without a valid, satisfactory EICR (or a satisfactory EICR with only C3 observations and no outstanding C1/C2/FI items).
Before you book the remedial work — read the report carefully
It’s worth spending some time reviewing the observations before instructing remedial work. EICR misclassification is more common than many people realise — items coded C2 that should be C3, or observations listed as defects that aren’t actually non-compliances under current guidance.
If anything on the report seems unusual, or the scope of remedial work being quoted feels disproportionate, a second opinion from a qualified electrician is entirely reasonable. We carry out independent EICR reviews and can advise on whether the observations and codes are accurate.
We’ve written a full guide to the classification codes — including examples of what should and shouldn’t appear at each level — which is worth reading alongside your report: EICR Classification Codes Explained: What C1, C2 and C3 Actually Mean.
What happens during remedial work?
A qualified electrician will work through each C1, C2, and FI observation on the report. Depending on what’s been flagged, this could involve anything from replacing a damaged socket or adding RCD protection to a circuit, through to more significant work such as replacing a consumer unit or rewiring part of the installation.
FI items require the electrician to investigate further before they can determine what (if any) remedial action is needed. You should expect a clear explanation of what was found and what was done to address it.
What documentation should you receive?
Once remedial work is complete, you should receive:
- A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) for each circuit or item of work completed — this confirms the work has been inspected and tested and found satisfactory.
- For more significant work, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) may be appropriate instead.
- A letter or written confirmation from the electrician confirming that all observations on the original EICR have been addressed.
Landlords should retain all of this documentation alongside the original EICR. If the local authority requests evidence of compliance, this is what you’ll need to produce.
In some cases — typically where significant work has been carried out — it may be appropriate to commission a new EICR to confirm the installation is now satisfactory. Your electrician can advise on whether this is necessary.
Need help with an unsatisfactory EICR?
Whether you need remedial work carried out, a second opinion on a report you’ve received, or a new EICR on your property, we can help. We work across Bristol and South Gloucestershire and carry out both EICRs and all associated remedial work.
Get in touch to discuss what you need, or give us a call.
