What Happens if You Fail an EICR?

An EICR — Electrical Installation Condition Report — does not simply pass or fail in the way a driving test does. The reality is more nuanced, and understanding what the different outcomes mean is important whether you are a landlord managing your compliance obligations, a homeowner assessing an older property, or a tenant trying to understand your rights.

This guide explains exactly what the EICR grading codes mean, what happens when your report is unsatisfactory, what your legal obligations are as a landlord, and what the remedial process involves. For the full picture on EICR costs and requirements in Cheshire, see our complete EICR guide for Cheshire properties .

What Do the EICR Grading Codes Mean?

Every finding on an EICR is graded using a standard coding system defined in BS 7671 — the IET Wiring Regulations. There are four codes.

C1 — Danger Present

A C1 code means an immediate danger to persons exists. This is the most serious outcome. Where a C1 is identified, the electrician carrying out the inspection may make the installation safe before leaving — for example by isolating a circuit that presents an immediate shock or fire risk. The installation cannot be left in a dangerous condition.

A C1 finding makes the EICR unsatisfactory. Remedial work must be carried out without delay. For landlords, a property with a C1 finding should not be let until the fault has been rectified and a satisfactory EICR has been issued.

C2 — Potentially Dangerous

A C2 code means a potentially dangerous condition exists. It is not an immediate danger in the way a C1 is, but it represents a risk that requires urgent remedial action. C2 findings are the most common reason for an unsatisfactory EICR result.

Typical C2 findings in Cheshire’s older housing stock include consumer units without RCD protection, deteriorated cable insulation, overloaded circuits, and non-compliant previous electrical work. Any of these individually is enough to make the overall EICR unsatisfactory.

C3 — Improvement Recommended

A C3 code means an improvement is recommended but the installation is not dangerous. Importantly, a C3 finding alone does not make an EICR unsatisfactory. An installation with only C3 findings receives a satisfactory overall result — the recommendations are noted but they do not trigger a legal obligation to act.

That said, C3 recommendations are worth taking seriously. They typically indicate areas where the installation has not been updated to current best practice, and addressing them proactively reduces the likelihood of more serious findings at the next inspection.

FI — Further Investigation Required

An FI code means a condition has been identified that cannot be fully assessed without further investigation. This might mean opening up a wall to inspect concealed wiring, lifting floorboards to check cable condition, or testing a circuit that was inaccessible during the inspection. The EICR cannot be confirmed as satisfactory until the investigation is complete and the finding is resolved or regraded.

What Makes an EICR Unsatisfactory?

An EICR is formally unsatisfactory if it contains one or more C1, C2 or FI codes. A C3-only result is satisfactory. The practical implications of an unsatisfactory result depend on whether you are a landlord, a homeowner or a tenant.

What Happens Next for Landlords?

For landlords in England, the legal framework is clear. Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 , an unsatisfactory EICR triggers the following obligations.

Remedial work within 28 days. All C1 and C2 findings must be addressed within 28 days of the inspection date, or sooner if the report specifies. FI findings must also be resolved within this timeframe. The 28-day clock starts from the date of the inspection, not from when you receive the report.

Written confirmation to tenants. Once remedial work is complete, you must provide written confirmation to your tenant within 28 days of completion. This typically takes the form of a new satisfactory EICR or an Electrical Installation Certificate for the remedial work, accompanied by a cover letter confirming the work has been done.

Confirmation to the local authority if requested. If the local authority has requested documentation, you must provide confirmation of completed remedial work within 28 days of completing it.

Failure to comply carries civil penalties of up to £30,000 per breach . Local authorities — including Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council — are responsible for enforcement and can carry out their own inspections and recover costs from non-compliant landlords.

For full detail on your obligations as a landlord, see our guide to EICR requirements for landlords .

What Happens if the Remedial Work Is Not Done in Time?

If remedial work cannot be completed within 28 days for genuine reasons — for example, a complex rewire that takes longer to programme — you must be able to demonstrate that you have taken all reasonable steps to have the work carried out. This means having a booked appointment with a qualified electrician and documentation of the steps taken.

Claiming you could not find an electrician or that the work was too expensive is not a defence. The regulations are clear and local authorities have shown an increasing willingness to enforce them. If you are a landlord in Cheshire and your EICR has come back unsatisfactory, act immediately.

What Remedial Work Is Typically Required?

The remedial work required depends entirely on what the EICR has found. The most common remedial requirements we see across Cheshire fall into the following categories.

Consumer unit replacement

The single most common C2 finding in Cheshire’s older housing stock is a consumer unit without RCD protection. A rewirable fuse board or an older MCB board without RCD protection is typically graded C2 and requires replacement. See our guide to consumer unit replacement costs in Cheshire for what this involves.

Rewiring of specific circuits

Where individual circuits contain deteriorated cabling or non-compliant work, those circuits may need to be rewired. This is typically less disruptive than a full rewire but can still involve lifting floors or chasing walls depending on the routing of the affected cables.

Full house rewire

Where the wiring throughout the property is significantly degraded — rubber-insulated cables, aluminium wiring from the 1960s and 70s, or wiring that has not been touched since the property was built — a full rewire may be the only practical solution. Our guide to house rewire costs in Cheshire covers what is involved and typical pricing.

Bonding and earthing remedials

Absent or inadequate earthing and bonding is a relatively common finding, particularly in properties that have had plumbing work done without corresponding electrical updates. Remedial bonding work is usually straightforward and lower cost than circuit or consumer unit work.

Accessory replacements

Damaged sockets, cracked switches, deteriorated light fittings and other damaged accessories are commonly found on inspections of older properties. These are typically straightforward to rectify and may be carried out on the day of the inspection or as a separate follow-up visit.

Can You Get a Satisfactory EICR After Remedial Work?

Yes — and this is the goal. Once all C1, C2 and FI findings have been addressed, the electrician who carried out the remedial work issues an Electrical Installation Certificate confirming the work meets current standards. In many cases a new EICR is then carried out to confirm the installation as a whole is now satisfactory, giving landlords the clean documentation they need for compliance.

We carry out both the initial EICR and all remedial work in-house at Portcullis Power. This means you deal with one contractor throughout, the documentation is consistent, and there is no delay between identifying the problem and fixing it. For landlords with tenancy deadlines, this matters.

What if You Disagree With the EICR Findings?

EICR gradings are based on professional judgement applied to defined standards. If you believe a finding has been incorrectly graded, you are entitled to seek a second opinion from another qualified, NAPIT or NICEIC registered electrician. What you cannot do is ignore findings or commission an unregistered person to carry out remedial work in order to obtain a cheaper certificate. The work must be carried out by a registered electrician and the documentation must be issued by that person.

What About Homeowners?

Owner-occupiers have no legal obligation to act on EICR findings under the 2020 landlord regulations. However, ignoring a C1 or C2 finding is not advisable for obvious safety reasons. An unsatisfactory EICR on a property you are trying to sell will also be identified by the buyer’s solicitor and is likely to result in either a required remediation before exchange or a price reduction. Electrical Safety First provides useful guidance for homeowners on understanding EICR results.