If you’re a landlord and your EICR inspection has come back unsatisfactory, it can feel alarming, but it’s more common than you might think. This guide explains exactly what an unsatisfactory EICR means, what the different fault codes indicate, and the steps you’re legally required to take to protect your tenants, your rental properties, and yourself. Whether you’ve just received your first EICR report or you’re preparing for an upcoming inspection, this article is worth reading from start to finish.
What Is an EICR and Why Does It Matter for Landlords?
An EICR,or Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal document produced after a qualified electrician has inspected the electrical installation in your property. The inspection assesses whether the wiring, fuse board, sockets, and other fixed electrical components are safe and up to current standards. Every landlord must ensure an EICR is carried out at least every five years, or at every change of tenancy, whichever comes first.
The electrical installation condition report will detail any faults found, areas of concern, and whether the overall installation is deemed satisfactory or unsatisfactory. For landlords with rental properties across Essex, London, or Kent, carrying out an EICR is not optional , it is a legal requirement under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
Understanding what happens if your EICR comes back as unsatisfactory is essential knowledge for any landlord to ensure the safety of their property. Failing to act on an unsatisfactory result can expose you to significant fines and, more importantly, put your tenants at risk of injury.
What Does an Unsatisfactory EICR Actually Mean?
When an EICR inspection returns an unsatisfactory result, it indicates that the electrician has identified one or more faults or deficiencies in the electrical installation that require attention. An unsatisfactory EICR does not necessarily mean the property is immediately dangerous, but it does mean remedial work is required before the installation can be signed off as safe.
The report will detail every issue identified during the inspection using a coding system. These codes indicate the urgency and severity of each fault identified during the safety inspection. Receiving an unsatisfactory EICR report is the start of a process, not the end of one, and knowing what each code means helps you understand exactly what action is required to have the issues in the report investigated.
It’s important to follow the recommendations in your EICR report closely. Ignoring an unsatisfactory result is not a legal option. As a landlord, you must ensure all issues are addressed within the required timeframe.
What Are the EICR Fault Codes? C1, C2, C3 and FI Explained
The EICR report uses the following codes to classify every issue identified during the electrical testing:
C1 – Danger Present: This is the most serious classification of faults identified in the safety inspection. A C1 code means there is an immediate risk of injury or death. A C1 fault requires urgent remedial action; the issue must be rectified without delay, often before the electrician leaves the property. Examples include exposed live wiring or a fault that presents an immediate electric shock hazard.
C2 – Potentially Dangerous: A C2 code means the fault is not immediately dangerous but could become so. C2 faults also result in an unsatisfactory EICR and must be addressed as a priority to ensure the safety of the electrical installation. A C2 or FI code appearing on your report means the installation cannot be considered satisfactory, and remedial work to get the issues resolved is essential.
C3 – Improvement Recommended: A C3 code does not make the EICR unsatisfactory on its own. It flags areas where improvement is recommended that would bring the installation closer to current standards, but it is advisory rather than mandatory. However, a landlord should still consider carrying out the suggested work as best practice for compliance and safety.
FI – Further Investigation Required: An FI code indicates that the inspector was unable to fully assess part of the installation and further investigation is required. Like C1 and C2, an FI code results in an unsatisfactory EICR and must be followed up by a qualified electrician.
What Are Your Legal Obligations as a Landlord After an Unsatisfactory EICR?
If your EICR report is unsatisfactory, the law is clear. Under electrical safety standards in the private rented sector regulations, a landlord must ensure all necessary remedial work is completed within 28 days of receiving the EICR report ,or sooner if the report comes back as unsatisfactory and specifies a shorter timescale for urgent remedial action.
The landlord must also provide written confirmation to the tenant that the electrical work has been carried out and is complete. This written confirmation, provided by the electrician who completed the remedial work, must be kept on file. You must also send a copy to your tenant and, if requested, to the local authority within 28 days of the work being completed.
Failure to carry out any remedial work within the required timeframe can result in the local authority stepping in and issuing a remedial notice, and potentially a fine of up to £30,000. The legal responsibility sits firmly with the landlord.
How Quickly Do You Need to Act After Receiving an Unsatisfactory EICR Report?
The standard deadline for completing remedial work following an unsatisfactory EICR is within 28 days. However, if the EICR inspection has identified a C1 fault, you should treat this as requiring immediate remedial action, the electrical system must be made safe before tenants continue to occupy the property.
For C2 faults, the authority within 28 days rule applies, but acting faster is always advisable. The sooner the remedial work is complete, the sooner you can obtain a satisfactory EICR and demonstrate compliance. Within 28 days of receiving your report, the work must be done and written confirmation provided.
If you are preparing a property for a new tenant, completion of the EICR and any remedial work must happen before that new tenant moves in. You cannot begin a new tenancy with outstanding EICR issues.
What Remedial Work Might Be Required After a Failed EICR?
The type of remedial work required depends entirely on the faults found during the electrical testing. Common issues that lead to an unsatisfactory EICR include outdated fuse boards, lack of RCD protection, deteriorating wiring within a property, damaged sockets or switches, and faults in the earthing or bonding of the installation.
For C1 faults, an electrician may need to isolate part of the electrical installation immediately to eliminate the risk of injury. For C2 issues, the work is carried out within the 28-day window and may involve rewiring circuits, replacing components, or upgrading the consumer unit. FI codes require the inspector or another qualified electrician to carry out further investigation before the scope of the work is determined.
Once all remedial work is complete, the electrician will issue written confirmation that the electrical installation in your property now meets the required standard. In some cases, particularly after significant work, you may need to get a new EICR to confirm a satisfactory result.
Can a Tenant Move In Before Remedial Work Is Complete?
No. If your EICR inspection has returned an unsatisfactory result and remedial work is outstanding, a new tenant cannot move into the property until all C1 and C2 issues are resolved. This is a firm legal requirement. The safety of the tenant must always come first, and allowing someone to occupy a property with known electrical faults would expose you to serious liability.
For existing tenancies where an unsatisfactory EICR has been issued during a routine inspection, the landlord must act within 28 days, but the tenant does not need to vacate in most cases unless a C1 fault makes the property immediately unsafe. Communication with your tenant throughout this process is important, and keeping them informed helps maintain trust.
Every landlord should have a clear process in place for responding to an unsatisfactory result so that tenant safety and legal compliance are never compromised in the event that the report comes back as unsatisfactory.
How to Find a Qualified Electrician to Carry Out Remedial Work
Only a qualified electrician should carry out any remedial work identified in an EICR report to ensure the safety of the installation. In practice, this means an electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. Using an unregistered electrician risks work being carried out to an inadequate standard, and may mean the remedial work is not legally recognised.
When booking an electrician to carry out the required work, ask them to confirm in writing that the electrical work is carried out in accordance with BS 7671 (the UK wiring regulations). Once the work is complete, ensure you receive written confirmation provided by the electrician before submitting anything to your local authority or sharing with your tenant.
For landlords in Essex, London, and Kent, Con-Fused provides both EICR inspections and any necessary remedial work, meaning there is no need to coordinate multiple contractors. Our electricians are NICEIC registered and experienced in rental properties of all types and sizes.
What Happens After the Remedial Work Is Done? Getting Back to Satisfactory
Once all remedial work is complete, the next step is confirming the electrical installation condition has been rectified. Depending on the nature of the faults, your electrician may issue written confirmation that the specific issues have been resolved, or they may recommend carrying out an EICR again to produce a full satisfactory EICR document.
A satisfactory EICR gives you, your tenant, and any local authority peace of mind that the installation is safe, compliant, and meets the required electrical safety standards. It is the final step in resolving an unsatisfactory result and restoring your property to full compliance.
Keep all documents, the original unsatisfactory report, the written confirmation of remedial work, and the new EICR on file for the duration of the tenancy and beyond. You are legally required to provide copies to new tenants, existing tenants on request, and to the local authority if asked.
Does an Unsatisfactory EICR Affect Portable Appliance Testing?
An EICR inspection covers the fixed electrical installation only, it does not cover portable appliances or electrical appliances provided by the landlord as part of the tenancy. Portable appliance testing (PAT testing) is a separate process. If your property comes furnished with appliances such as washing machines, fridges, or electric heaters, appliance testing should be carried out separately to ensure those items are also electrically safe.
While PAT testing is not currently a legal requirement for landlords in the same way as EICR, it is strongly recommended as part of a thorough approach to electrical safety. An EICR carried out regularly alongside PAT testing represents a complete and responsible approach to managing electrical risk within a property.