EICR guide
EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI
What your Electrical Installation Condition Report is telling you, what counts as a fail, and what to do next.
Understanding your report
What the codes on your EICR mean
An EICR is a full inspection and test of your property’s fixed wiring: the consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and light fittings. Anything that doesn’t meet the current wiring regulations (BS 7671) is listed in the report and given a code, so you can see at a glance how serious it is.
C1
Danger present
There’s a real risk of injury right now, such as exposed live parts. This needs fixing straight away.
What happens next: your electrician will usually make it safe on the day, for example by switching off and isolating the circuit, with your permission.
C2
Potentially dangerous
Not an immediate danger, but it could become one if a fault happens. This needs putting right urgently.
What happens next: you’ll get a quote for the remedial work, and it should be booked in as soon as possible.
C3
Improvement recommended
Something that doesn’t meet the latest regulations but isn’t dangerous. A C3 on its own doesn’t fail the report.
What happens next: nothing urgent, but it’s worth planning the improvement, especially if you’re having other work done.
FI
Further investigation
Something couldn’t be fully checked during the inspection and needs looking at more closely, without delay.
What happens next: the electrician investigates further, then confirms whether there’s a problem that needs fixing.
Satisfactory or unsatisfactory?
Every EICR ends with an overall result. If the report has any C1, C2 or FI codes, it’s marked unsatisfactory. If it only has C3s, or nothing at all, it’s satisfactory.
An unsatisfactory report sounds worse than it often is. It doesn’t automatically mean you need a rewire. In many cases it comes down to a handful of specific items that can be put right quickly.
Issues that often come up
- Older consumer units without RCD protection
- Missing or inadequate earthing and bonding to gas and water pipes
- Damaged sockets, switches or light fittings
- Signs of overheating or scorching
- Old or damaged cables
What to do if your report is unsatisfactory
- Read the observations. Each code comes with a short note explaining what was found and where.
- Get any C1 items made safe straight away. Most electricians will do this during the inspection.
- Get a quote for the C2 and FI items and book the work in.
- Keep the paperwork. Once the work’s done, you’ll get a certificate confirming the problems have been put right.
For landlords: the 28-day rules
If you let a property in England, the Electrical Safety Standards regulations apply. In 2025 they were extended to social housing too. In short, you need to:
- Have the electrics inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner if the report says so
- Give a copy of the report to your tenants within 28 days of the inspection, and to new tenants before they move in
- Send a copy to the council within 7 days if they ask for it
- Get any remedial or further investigation work done within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so
- Send written confirmation of the finished work, with the report, to your tenants and the council within 28 days of the work being completed
Councils can fine landlords who don’t comply, and they can arrange the work themselves and recover the cost. See how we helped with a landlord EICR in Sheffield.
For homeowners and home buyers
If you live in your own home, an EICR isn’t a legal requirement, but it’s recommended at least every 10 years and whenever you buy a property. If you’re buying, an EICR before you complete shows you what you’re taking on and gives you something solid to negotiate with. Here’s how a pre-purchase EICR helped a Sheffield buyer.
At a glance
- C1: danger present, fix now
- C2: potentially dangerous, fix urgently
- C3: improvement recommended, not a fail
- FI: needs investigating without delay
- Any C1, C2 or FI means the report is unsatisfactory
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FAQs
Common questions about EICR codes
No. C3 means an improvement is recommended. A report with only C3s is still satisfactory.
Yes, that’s what people usually mean by a fail. It means there’s at least one C1, C2 or FI item that needs dealing with.
Not usually. Most unsatisfactory reports come down to a few specific items. Your electrician will tell you if the wiring itself is near the end of its life.
28 days from the inspection, or less if the report says so. Written confirmation of the work then goes to the tenants and the council within 28 days of it being finished.
No. The EICR covers the inspection and the report. Any remedial work is quoted separately, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
At least every five years for rented homes and every 10 years for homes you live in yourself, unless the report recommends sooner.
Not usually. You’ll get a certificate for the remedial work, which landlords pass on to their tenants and the council as written confirmation.
Had an unsatisfactory EICR?
Smart Electricians can talk you through what the codes mean and give you a clear quote to put things right.