What happens if an EICR fails? C1, C2, C3 and FI codes explained
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If an EICR fails, it is marked unsatisfactory because it lists at least one C1, C2 or FI observation. Landlords must have that work done within 28 days, or sooner if stated, then give written confirmation to tenants and the council. C3s alone never cause a fail.
What do the EICR codes mean?
EICR observations use four codes. C1 means danger present, C2 means potentially dangerous, C3 means improvement recommended and FI means further investigation required. C1, C2 and FI make a report unsatisfactory. C3 alone does not, and landlords are not legally required to act on C3s.
| Code | Meaning | Report result | Landlord action |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present | Unsatisfactory | Make safe now, fix within 28 days or sooner |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous | Unsatisfactory | Fix within 28 days or sooner |
| C3 | Improvement recommended | Satisfactory | Optional |
| FI | Further investigation required | Unsatisfactory | Investigate within 28 days or sooner |
What does C1 mean on an EICR?
C1 means danger present: there is an immediate risk of injury, such as exposed live parts. The electrician should make it safe straight away, for example by isolating the circuit, and tell the person responsible. Any C1 makes the report unsatisfactory.
A C1 means there is an immediate risk of injury, such as exposed live parts that can be touched. The electrician should make it safe straight away, for example by isolating the circuit or fixing the fault on the spot, and will tell the person responsible for the property. A C1 makes the report unsatisfactory.
What does C2 mean on an EICR?
C2 means potentially dangerous: not an immediate danger, but it could become one if a fault occurs, so urgent remedial work is needed. Examples include a missing earth on a lighting circuit or no main bonding to gas or water pipes. Any C2 makes the report unsatisfactory.
A C2 is not an immediate danger but could become one if a fault occurs, so urgent remedial action is needed. Examples include a missing earth on a lighting circuit, no main protective bonding to gas or water pipes, or signs of overheating at a connection. A C2 makes the report unsatisfactory.
What does C3 mean on an EICR?
C3 means improvement recommended. The installation does not meet the current wiring regulations but is not considered dangerous, such as an older plastic consumer unit. C3s do not make a report unsatisfactory, and landlords are not legally required to act on them.
A C3 means the installation does not meet the current edition of the wiring regulations but is not considered dangerous. A common example is a socket circuit without RCD protection in a situation where the electrician judges the risk to be low, or an older plastic consumer unit. C3s do not make the report unsatisfactory, and landlords are not legally required to act on them.
What does FI mean on an EICR?
FI means further investigation required. The electrician found something that needs more investigation than the inspection allowed, such as a circuit that could not be traced or test results suggesting a hidden fault. An FI makes the report unsatisfactory until it is investigated.
FI means the electrician found something that needs further investigation but could not complete it within the inspection, for example a circuit that could not be traced or test results that suggest a hidden problem. An FI makes the report unsatisfactory until the investigation is done.
When is an EICR unsatisfactory?
An EICR is unsatisfactory if it lists at least one C1, C2 or FI observation. If it contains only C3s, or no observations at all, it is satisfactory. A report with ten C3s still passes, while a report with a single C2 does not.
The overall result is simple: if there is at least one C1, C2 or FI, the report is unsatisfactory. If there are only C3s, or no observations at all, it is satisfactory. A report with ten C3s is still satisfactory; a report with one C2 is not.
What happens if an EICR is unsatisfactory?
For landlords, remedial work or further investigation must be done within 28 days, or sooner if stated. You then need written confirmation from a qualified person that the work is complete, and must give it to tenants and the council within 28 days of the work.
Under the 2020 private rented sector regulations:
- Arrange remedial work or further investigation within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter time.
- Get written confirmation from a qualified person that the work has been done and the installation now meets the standard.
- Give that confirmation, along with the original report, to each tenant within 28 days of the work.
- Send it to the local council within 28 days of the work being completed.
If the further investigation itself reveals more work, the same 28-day process applies to that work.
Why do EICRs fail?
Common reasons in older Greater Manchester housing include missing or inadequate bonding to gas and water pipes, damaged sockets or fittings, poor DIY connections, no RCD protection where it is required, and old consumer units showing heat damage. Most are straightforward to put right.
Across older Greater Manchester housing, the issues we see listed most often include missing or inadequate bonding to gas and water pipes, damaged sockets or fittings, DIY additions with poor connections, no RCD protection in places where it is required, and old consumer units showing heat damage. Most of these are straightforward to put right.
How do I get remedial work done after a failed EICR?
Contact us with your report and we can arrange a quote with an independent NICEIC registered electrician. Once the work is finished you receive written confirmation that it is complete, which you then pass to tenants and the council if you are a landlord.
If your report lists work that needs doing, we can arrange a quote with an independent NICEIC registered electrician. Once the work is complete you will receive the written confirmation you need to pass on. You can book a new EICR or ask about remedial work through the booking form.