What Happens If You Fail an EICR? Full UK Guide for 2025 (C1, C2 & FI Explained)
⚠️ What Happens If You Fail an EICR? Full UK Guide for 2025 (C1, C2, FI Explained)
If your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) has been marked “Unsatisfactory”, you’re not alone — thousands of UK households and landlords receive failed EICRs each year.
This guide explains what an EICR fail means, what you must fix, legal responsibilities, how quickly repairs need to be carried out, and how to get the report changed to “Satisfactory”.
📚 Contents
- ⚠️ What Does an Unsatisfactory EICR Mean?
- 🔍 EICR Codes That Cause a Fail (C1, C2, FI)
- 📜 Legal Responsibilities for Landlords (2025)
- ⏳ How Long Do You Have to Fix Failures?
- 💷 How Much Do Repairs & Re-Testing Cost?
- 🧰 Most Common Reasons an EICR Fails
- 🔄 How to Turn an Unsatisfactory EICR Into a Satisfactory One
- 🛡️ How to Avoid Failing Future EICRs
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
⚠️ What Does an Unsatisfactory EICR Mean?
An EICR is marked Unsatisfactory when the installation contains C1, C2, or FI items. This means the electrical system is not safe for continued use until the issues are corrected.
An unsatisfactory result can affect:
- Electrical safety of occupants
- Property insurance validity
- Landlord legal compliance
- Ability to rent or sell a property
🔍 
These codes automatically fail an EICR in the UK:
🔴 C1 – Danger Present
A serious, immediate risk of electric shock or fire.
- Exposed live parts
- Severely damaged cables
- Burnt terminals or overheating
🟠 C2 – Potentially Dangerous
A defect that could become dangerous under fault conditions.
- No RCD protection
- Poor earthing or bonding
- Damaged insulation
🔵 FI – Further Investigation Required
Something suspicious or unclear requires immediate further testing. FI also fails the EICR until resolved.
A C3 code does NOT fail an EICR.
📜 Legal Responsibilities for Landlords (2025)
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations 2020:
- Landlords MUST fix C1, C2 and FI issues
- Work must be carried out by a competent electrician
- A written confirmation of completed repairs must be supplied to tenants and the council
Fines can reach £30,000 for non-compliance.
⏳ How Long Do You Have to Fix Failures?
🏠 Homeowners
There is no strict legal timeframe, but repairs should be done promptly for safety.
🏢 Landlords (Legal Requirement)
All C1, C2 and FI issues must be fixed within 28 days — or sooner if stated by the electrician.
You must then obtain:
- A written report confirming the issue is resolved
- A re-test or updated EICR showing “Satisfactory”
💷 How Much Do Repairs & Re-Testing Cost?
Costs vary based on the fault, but typical UK prices are:
- Simple socket replacement: £40–£70
- Bonding upgrade: £120–£250
- Consumer unit upgrade: £450–£900
- Circuit rewiring: £180–£550
- Re-test after repairs: £50–£120
Full cost breakdowns are available in our UK EICR Cost Guide.
🧰 Most Common Reasons an EICR Fails
- No RCD protection on sockets or lighting circuits
- Inadequate bonding to gas or water pipes
- Damaged or deteriorated wiring
- Old fuse boxes with rewireable fuses
- Overloaded consumer units
- Loose connections causing overheating
- Incorrect polarity
- Non-compliant DIY electrical work
More examples can be found in Why Your EICR Might Fail.
🔄 How to Turn an Unsatisfactory EICR Into a Satisfactory One
- Review your EICR and highlight all C1, C2 and FI items.
- Get quotes for remedial work from an electrician.
- Complete all repairs.
- Arrange a re-test or partial re-inspection.
- Receive updated documentation showing “Satisfactory”.
🛡️ How to Avoid Failing Future EICRs
- Test RCDs every 6 months
- Avoid DIY electrical work
- Upgrade old consumer units
- Keep earthing and bonding up to standard
- Fix minor issues (C3) before they become major ones
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do tenants need to move out after an unsatisfactory EICR?
No — unless a C1 danger is severe enough to isolate circuits. Most repairs can be completed while the tenant remains in the property.
Does a C3 fail an EICR?
No. C3 is “Improvement Recommended” only.
Who pays for EICR remedial work?
The property owner (landlord or homeowner) is responsible.
Do I need a full re-test after repairs?
No — only the affected circuits require re-inspection.
Can an EICR affect home insurance?
Yes — insurers may refuse a claim if installations were unsafe or the report was ignored.
Understanding what happens after an EICR failure helps ensure legal compliance, safety and peace of mind for homeowners, landlords and tenants.