Unsatisfactory EICR: What Happens Next and How to Fix It

An unsatisfactory EICR means the electrician found at least one defect coded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or FI (further investigation required). It does not necessarily mean the whole installation is unsafe or needs rewiring – often it comes down to one or two specific, fixable items. For landlords, the key rule is that remedial work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.

Here is what to do after a failed EICR, what the most common causes are, and how to get back to a satisfactory result quickly.

Step 1: Read the observations, not just the result

The front page says “Unsatisfactory”, but the detail is in the observations section. Each item should tell you what the defect is, where it is and which code it has been given. Separate the items into:

• C1 and C2 – must be fixed
• FI – must be investigated
• C3 – recommended, but not required for a satisfactory outcome

If anything is unclear, ask the electrician to explain it. Our guide to EICR codes explained covers what each code means in detail.

Step 2: Deal with any C1 immediately

A C1 is a present danger. The electrician should have made it safe during the visit – by repairing it, isolating the circuit or disconnecting the equipment – and told you about it before leaving. If a C1 has been isolated rather than repaired, arrange the permanent fix promptly, as you may have a circuit out of use. In an emergency, our 24/7 emergency electricians can attend.

Step 3: Arrange remedial work within 28 days

For private landlords in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set out a clear timetable:

1. Remedial work or further investigation must be carried out within 28 days of the inspection, or within any shorter period stated on the report.
2. The work must be done by a qualified and competent person.
3. You must obtain written confirmation that the work has been completed and the installation now meets the required standard.
4. You must give that written confirmation, along with the original report, to the tenant and the local housing authority within 28 days of the work being completed.

Councils can fine landlords up to £30,000 per breach. These duties also now apply to social landlords – see our social housing EICR guide. For the full set of duties, read landlord electrical safety regulations.

Homeowners are not under a legal deadline, but C1 and C2 items are genuine safety issues and should be fixed without delay.

Step 4: Keep the paperwork together

After the repairs you should receive a Minor Works Certificate or an Electrical Installation Certificate, depending on the work. Some jobs, like a consumer unit replacement or new circuits, are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations; a registered contractor such as an NICEIC member self-certifies the work and notifies building control. Keep the EICR, the repair certificates and any building regulations certificate together – together they are your evidence of compliance.

Common reasons an EICR fails

Every installation is different, but certain issues come up again and again in London homes and rentals.

No RCD protection

Residual current devices (RCDs) disconnect the supply quickly if current leaks to earth, greatly reducing the risk of a fatal shock. Many older installations have none. Missing RCD protection is often coded C3, but it can be coded C2 where the risk is higher – for example, in a bathroom without supplementary bonding. The usual fix is fitting RCD protection, which in practice often means a new consumer unit.

Missing or inadequate bonding

Main protective bonding connects incoming metal gas and water pipes to the main earthing terminal. It is frequently missing, disconnected during plumbing work, or undersized. Absent main bonding is a common C2, but it is usually a quick and inexpensive fix.

Damaged accessories

Cracked sockets, broken switch plates, loose back boxes and scorched faceplates are among the most common observations. Where live parts are exposed it is a C1; where damage could lead to exposure or shows signs of overheating, it is typically a C2. Replacing accessories is normally straightforward.

Earthing problems and high readings

Circuits without a protective conductor, or with earth fault loop impedance readings too high for the protective device to disconnect in time, are usually coded C2. Some are simple connection faults; others point to wider problems with older wiring.

Untraceable faults

Low insulation resistance readings or a circuit that cannot be identified often result in an FI. Investigating may reveal a damaged cable, moisture in an accessory or an old alteration.

What does not fail an EICR on its own

It is equally useful to know what is not a fail. A plastic consumer unit is a common example. Since 2016, consumer units in homes must have a non-combustible (usually metal) enclosure, but an existing plastic unit is generally coded C3 – improvement recommended – and does not on its own make the report Unsatisfactory. Similarly, missing circuit charts, older-style fuses in otherwise sound condition and installations that simply pre-date the current edition of BS 7671 are usually C3s.

If you are being told an installation needs a full rewire, ask for the specific C1, C2 and FI items that justify it. A rewire is sometimes the right answer for very old or deteriorated wiring – see signs your house needs rewiring – but it should be backed by clear evidence.

How we handle unsatisfactory reports

When Polarity Electrics carries out an EICR, any C1 is made safe on the day. Your digital report is emailed the same day with photos of each observation and an itemised remedial cost breakdown, so you can see exactly what is required to reach a satisfactory result and what is optional. We give a fixed written quote for repairs, all work carries our 12-month workmanship guarantee, and we can usually schedule remedial work well inside the 28-day window.

If your EICR was carried out by someone else and you need the remedial work done, we can quote from the existing report. You can find out more on our EICR London page, or check how much an EICR costs if you need a fresh inspection.

Get your installation back to satisfactory

We are an NICEIC Approved Contractor covering all of London and the Home Counties. Send us your report and we will reply with a fixed written quote, or book online. For urgent help, call us 24/7 on 0203 908 4790.