An EICR usually fails because of missing or inadequate RCD protection, earthing and bonding faults, damaged sockets or switches, incorrect bathroom fittings, or an ageing consumer unit. If the report records a C1 or C2 code, the installation is unsatisfactory and remedial or investigative work has to follow, generally within 28 days unless the report sets a shorter deadline.
TL;DR:
- Missing or inadequate RCD protection often triggers failure, especially in older properties lacking modern fault protection devices.
- Earthing and bonding faults, such as corroded conductors or missing links, are common failure points that can be checked before inspection.
- Consumer units with signs of heat damage, outdated wiring, or no residual current devices are frequent causes of unsatisfactory EICRs requiring urgent remedial work.
- A C1 or C2 code indicates immediate safety concerns that must be addressed within 28 days for landlords under current regulations.
- Documented evidence like certificates and photographs of repairs is essential for proof of compliance and avoiding legal or property transaction issues.
Table of Contents
- Common reasons an EICR fails: a practical checklist you can use
- What the EICR codes mean: C1, C2, C3 and FI explained
- Legal duties and timelines after an unsatisfactory EICR
- How remedial work usually proceeds after a failed EICR
- Smart Home Technical Ltd: practical experience for landlords
- Prioritise the danger, then the paperwork
- If you need help: our testing and remedial services
- FAQ
- Sources
Common reasons an EICR fails: a practical checklist you can use
Most domestic EICR failures trace back to a handful of recurring faults, and knowing what inspectors look for helps you spot trouble before the test date.
Missing or inadequate RCD protection is one of the most frequent findings. Modern wiring regulations expect residual current devices on socket circuits, bathroom circuits and outdoor supplies; older properties often lack them entirely. Where a circuit depends on an RCD for fault protection and that device has not been confirmed as bidirectional, inspectors may still apply a C2 under BS7671 WRAG guidance, unless a manufacturer declaration is available to confirm the device performs correctly in both directions.
Earthing and bonding faults are another common culprit. Main bonding to gas and water services, and the integrity of the main earth itself, are checked early in any inspection; a missing or corroded bonding conductor is an easy visual check you can do yourself before a surveyor arrives. We cover earthing failures and backup power options in more detail in our guide to avoiding earthing failures.
Damaged or loose sockets, switches and light fittings also show up repeatedly, especially incorrect luminaires fitted in bathroom zones where moisture resistance matters. A cracked faceplate, a scorched socket or a pendant light hung too close to a shower are all things you can spot on a walk-round.
Consumer units and old wiring are frequent sources of C1 and C2 codes, particularly fuse boards with no RCD protection, signs of overheating, or cabling that predates current standards.
Insulation resistance and continuity tests sometimes produce an inconclusive result, leading to an FI (further investigation) outcome rather than an immediate code: Electrical Safety First’s Best Practice Guide 4 notes that the scope of this extra fault-finding can vary considerably once an inspector starts tracing a fault.
Before any inspection, you can safely check for:
- Sockets or switches with cracks, scorch marks or loose fittings.
- Bathroom lights or extractor fans that look old or incorrectly rated for their zone.
- Consumer units with visible signs of heat damage or missing circuit labels.
- Any socket near a sink or outdoor tap without an obvious RCD trip button nearby.
Pro Tip: Test your RCDs by pressing the “T” button on the consumer unit; if nothing trips, get it checked before the inspector does.
What the EICR codes mean: C1, C2, C3 and FI explained
Every observation on an EICR gets a code, and that code decides whether you have a problem that needs fixing today or simply one worth improving.
- C1 (danger present): immediate remedial action is required, for example exposed live conductors that pose a direct shock risk.
- C2 (potentially dangerous): urgent remedial action is recommended, such as missing RCD protection where current regulations require it.
- C3 (improvement recommended): not a legal requirement to fix, but advisable, often relating to older but still functioning installations that fall short of current best practice.
- FI (further investigation): the inspector cannot give a definitive code without more fault-finding, so the installation’s status stays open until that work is done.
C1 or C2 observations make the EICR result unsatisfactory, and Gov confirms the installation should not be considered safe for continued use until the remedial work is complete. Electrical Safety First’s best practice guidance adds that the most serious applicable code must always be used, with photographic evidence recommended for anything urgent.
Legal duties and timelines after an unsatisfactory EICR
If your EICR comes back unsatisfactory, the clock starts immediately, and the rules are stricter for rented property than for owner-occupied homes.
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must ensure remedial or investigative work identified in an EICR is carried out within 28 days, unless the report specifies a shorter period for something more urgent. Landlords also have to supply tenants with a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection and provide written confirmation once remedial work is finished.
Acceptable evidence of completed work includes a satisfactory follow-up EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for new work, or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) for smaller repairs.
- Keep copies of every certificate issued, not just the final satisfactory report.
- Share the EICR and remedial confirmation with tenants within the statutory 28-day window.
- Retain evidence of any reasonable steps taken if a tenant refuses access, since the regulations address this scenario directly.
Local authorities can issue remedial notices and, where a landlord fails to act, arrange the work themselves and recover the cost. Our EICR for landlords guide sets out a fuller compliance checklist if you manage rented property.
How remedial work usually proceeds after a failed EICR
Once you know what failed, the next steps follow a fairly predictable path.
- Book a qualified electrician to assess the specific C1 or C2 items and confirm the scope of work needed.
- Carry out the repair, which commonly means fitting or replacing RCDs, correcting bonding, swapping damaged fittings and sockets, or replacing a consumer unit if it cannot be brought up to standard.
- Obtain the right paperwork, an EIC for new installation work or a MEIWC for minor repairs, as these are the evidence landlords and owners need to show compliance.
- Arrange re-inspection where the original report calls for it, particularly after an FI outcome where the full scope only becomes clear once fault-finding begins.
Cost and timescale depend heavily on how much fault-finding is involved. A straightforward socket replacement is quick and inexpensive; a consumer unit replacement or a rewire uncovered by an FI investigation takes longer and costs more. We break down typical cost drivers in our house rewire cost guide.
Pro Tip: Ask your electrician whether a targeted repair or a full consumer unit replacement is more cost-effective before committing, since mixing old and new protective devices can sometimes raise further code issues.
Smart Home Technical Ltd: practical experience for landlords
We specialise in electrical contracting across renewable energy and general domestic work, including solar panel installation, battery storage and EV charger installation, alongside the testing and remedial work that follows a failed EICR.
- We publish a detailed EICR for landlords guide covering the 28-day deadline and a compliance checklist.
- Our work spans Dorset, Hampshire and Devon, giving us a close understanding of the housing stock and wiring ages typical of the region.
- We maintain relevant professional accreditations and positive customer feedback, which we treat as a reflection of the standard we hold ourselves to.
We find that landlords who keep certificates and photographs from every job find compliance far less stressful at renewal time.
Prioritise the danger, then the paperwork
If your EICR comes back with a C1, treat it as urgent and get a qualified electrician out before worrying about anything else. C2 items deserve the same seriousness, just with slightly more room to plan the work properly. Once the repair is done, keep the certificate and a few photographs on file, since that paper trail is what proves compliance if anyone ever asks. A short annual check between full inspections catches small problems before they become five-year failures.
— Simon
If you need help: our testing and remedial services
If an EICR has flagged problems at your property, we offer the testing, remedial repairs and consumer unit upgrades needed to put things right, along with ongoing compliance support for landlords managing multiple properties.
- Electrical testing and remedial repairs for domestic and commercial properties across Dorset, Hampshire and Devon.
- Consumer unit upgrades and RCD installation carried out by accredited electricians.
- Ongoing support through our Solar & Battery Service & Maintenance Plan, priced at a fixed annual rate, for homeowners who also want their solar and battery systems checked alongside their electrical safety.
When we visit for a survey or repair, we assess the specific coded items, explain what needs doing and in what order, and issue the certificate you need once the work is complete. Get in touch through our service page to arrange a visit.
FAQ
Why would an EICR fail?
An EICR fails when an inspector records a C1 or C2 code, most often for missing RCD protection, earthing and bonding faults, damaged sockets or switches, or an outdated consumer unit. Any of these makes the installation unsatisfactory until remedial work is completed, as set out in GOV.UK guidance.
Can I move a tenant in with a failed EICR?
You should not let a tenant move in while C1 or C2 items remain unresolved, since the installation is officially unsatisfactory until the remedial work is certified. Under the 2020 regulations, landlords must complete this work, usually within 28 days, before the property can be considered compliant.
Can you sell a house with a failed EICR?
There is no legal bar to selling a house with a failed EICR, but most buyers and their solicitors will expect the issues to be fixed or reflected in the price. Resolving C1 and C2 items and obtaining a satisfactory follow-up report or appropriate certificate before completion avoids delays during conveyancing.
What code fails EICR?
A C1 or C2 code results in an unsatisfactory EICR, since both indicate danger that requires remedial action, immediate for C1 and urgent for C2. A C3 code, by contrast, is only a recommendation for improvement and does not make the report unsatisfactory.
Sources
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
- Gov
- BS7671 WRAG guidance (Electrical Safety First)
