What Happens If You Fail an EICR? Landlord Guide

Quick Answer

An EICR does not pass or fail. It is marked either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result means the electrician found at least one C1, C2, or FI code. As a landlord in England, you must complete the required remedial work within 28 days, confirm this in writing to your tenant, and share proof with your local council if asked. Ignoring an unsatisfactory EICR can lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000.

Understanding Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory Results

Your electrician checks the wiring, sockets, switches, consumer unit, and earthing against the current wiring standard, BS 7671. Every issue found gets a code. The overall result depends on which codes appear.

A satisfactory result means no C1, C2, or FI codes were recorded. You might still see C3 codes on a satisfactory report. These are advisory only.

An unsatisfactory result means at least one C1, C2, or FI code appears. This triggers your legal duty to act.

The Fault Codes Explained

Code	Meaning	Does it cause a fail?	What you must do
C1	Danger present, immediate risk to safety	Yes	Urgent action, sometimes isolation of the circuit on the spot
C2	Potentially dangerous, action needed soon	Yes	Remedial work within the legal deadline
C3	Improvement recommended, not dangerous	No	Optional, worth doing at your next inspection
FI	Further investigation needed	Yes	Investigation and resolution before the report can be closed

A C3 on its own never causes a failed EICR. Only C1, C2, or FI codes do.

What You Must Do Within 28 Days

For private landlords in England, the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 set out clear steps once you receive an unsatisfactory EICR.

Arrange the remedial work with a qualified electrician, normally someone registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT
Complete all C1, C2, and FI items within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if the report specifies an earlier deadline
Get written confirmation from the electrician once the work is done, usually a new satisfactory EICR or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate
Give your tenant a copy of this confirmation
Send the confirmation to your local council within 28 days if they ask for it

Missing any one of these steps counts as a separate breach, and each breach can carry its own penalty.

Does a Failed EICR Mean You Need a Full Rewire?

No. Most unsatisfactory reports are resolved through targeted repairs rather than a complete rewire. Common fixes include replacing a damaged socket, adding earth bonding, upgrading an old consumer unit, or correcting incorrect wiring at a single point. A full rewire is only needed when the underlying wiring itself is unsafe throughout the property, which is far less common than people assume.

What Happens If You Ignore an Unsatisfactory EICR

Ignoring the report puts you in breach of the regulations from day one. Local councils actively enforce this, often triggered by a tenant complaint or a routine licensing check.

Consequences can include:

A formal remediation notice from your local council with its own deadline
The council arranging the work itself and billing you, usually at a higher rate than a private electrician would charge
A civil penalty of up to £40,000 per breach, a figure that rose from £30,000 on 1 November 2025
Possible issues with your landlord insurance, since many policies require electrical installations to meet current standards
Difficulty selling or remortgaging the property while an unresolved unsatisfactory EICR is on record

What About Tenants?

If your electrical inspection fails and your landlord does not act, you cannot legally withhold rent because of it. What you can do is notify your landlord in writing straight away and, if nothing changes, raise it with your local council. Councils have the power to inspect and enforce compliance on your behalf.

HMOs and Higher Risk Properties

Houses in multiple occupation face the same 28-day rule but often draw closer council attention because more people share the same electrical system. If you manage an HMO, keep your inspection cycle shorter than the standard five years if your electrician recommends it, and treat any C2 or FI code as a priority given the higher occupancy risk.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

Day 0: Inspection carried out, unsatisfactory result issued
Within 28 days: All C1, C2, and FI items resolved by a qualified electrician
Immediately after: Written confirmation issued to the tenant
Within 28 days of a council request: Confirmation submitted to the local authority

Most straightforward remedial jobs, such as a socket replacement or bonding fix, are completed within a week. More complex work, such as a consumer unit upgrade, can take longer, and you should tell your council in advance if you cannot realistically meet the 28-day window.

Preventing a Failed EICR Next Time

Keep a compliance file with every inspection report, remedial certificate, and piece of correspondence
Deal with C3 recommendations early rather than waiting for them to worsen into C2 issues
Use the same qualified electrician for repeat inspections so they know the property’s history
Schedule your EICR alongside your gas safety check to reduce disruption and admin

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an EICR technically pass or fail?
No. It is marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The word “fail” is common shorthand, not the official term.

How long do I have to fix an unsatisfactory EICR?
28 days from the inspection date, or sooner if your report specifies a shorter timeframe.

Is a C3 code a fail?
No. A C3 code is advisory. Only C1, C2, and FI codes make a report unsatisfactory.

Can I let a property with an unsatisfactory EICR?
No. You must complete the required remedial work and confirm this before continuing to let the property.

What is the maximum penalty for ignoring an unsatisfactory EICR?
Up to £40,000 per breach, following the increase from £30,000 on 1 November 2025.

Does a failed EICR always mean a rewire?
No. Most unsatisfactory results are fixed through targeted repairs rather than a full rewire.

What Happens If You Fail an EICR? A Clear Guide for Landlords