An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) does more than say whether a rented property’s electrical installation has passed or failed. The classification codes on the report tell the landlord what kind of problem has been identified and whether remedial work or further investigation is required.
For landlords in England, understanding the difference between C1, C2, C3 and FI matters because an unsatisfactory report can trigger a legal duty to complete remedial or investigative work within a set timeframe.
This guide explains the codes, the current remedial-work rules, and the records landlords should keep after the work is completed. It is general information for England and is not a substitute for advice on an individual property.
What do the EICR classification codes mean?
Current government guidance describes the main EICR classification codes as follows:
- C1 — Danger present: there is a risk of injury. The inspector may make a C1 hazard safe before leaving the property.
- C2 — Potentially dangerous: the defect is not necessarily an immediate danger at the moment of inspection, but it has the potential to become dangerous.
- C3 — Improvement recommended: improvement is recommended, but this code by itself does not make the report unsatisfactory and does not create the same remedial-work requirement as C1 or C2.
- FI — Further investigation required: the inspector has identified an issue that requires further investigation without delay to determine its nature or extent.
The key distinction is that C1, C2 and FI normally require action. A C3 observation is a recommendation for improvement rather than a mandatory remedial item for the EICR to be considered satisfactory.
When is an EICR unsatisfactory?
If an EICR contains a C1 or C2 code, the electrical installation is treated as unsatisfactory for continued use until the required remedial work has been dealt with. An FI code also requires further investigation.
A report containing only C3 observations can still be satisfactory, although a landlord may decide to carry out the recommended improvements as part of planned maintenance or future electrical work.
The report itself should identify the observations and indicate whether remedial work or further investigation is required. Landlords should read the whole report rather than relying only on the summary page.
How quickly must landlords complete remedial work?
Under the electrical safety rules applying in England, where the report shows that remedial work or further investigation is necessary, the landlord must ensure that it is completed within 28 days or within any shorter period specified in the report.
This means 28 days is a maximum period, not an automatic waiting period. A C1 defect, for example, may require immediate action because of the danger identified by the inspector.
The current government guidance also recognises that some work may be difficult to complete within 28 days because of legitimate practical constraints. Examples include specialist work, dependence on a third party such as an electricity supplier, or tenant-specific circumstances that require additional planning. In those situations, landlords should be able to demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to comply and should keep clear records of appointments, correspondence and attempted access.
What should happen after the remedial work?
After the required work or further investigation is completed, the landlord should obtain written evidence from the qualified person confirming what has been done and that the relevant electrical safety requirements have been met.
Depending on the work, suitable confirmation may include:
- a satisfactory EICR;
- an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC);
- a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC); or
- other appropriate electrical certification or written confirmation from the qualified person.
Current government guidance requires the relevant report and written confirmation to be provided within the prescribed period after completion of the work. Landlords should keep these documents with the original EICR so there is a clear audit trail showing the initial observation and the corrective action.
Do landlords have to fix C3 observations?
A C3 code means that an improvement is recommended. Government guidance states that a C3 observation does not require remedial work for the report to be deemed satisfactory.
That does not mean a C3 item should automatically be ignored. It can identify an installation feature that does not meet current best practice or that could be improved. The sensible response depends on the nature of the observation, the age and condition of the installation, planned refurbishment work and the electrician’s professional advice.
What is different about an FI code?
FI means the inspector cannot reach a satisfactory conclusion without additional investigation. The issue may be hidden, intermittent or outside the scope of the initial inspection and testing.
For landlords, FI should not be treated as an optional recommendation. Government guidance states that where further investigative work is required, the landlord must ensure it is carried out. The same 28-day maximum period applies unless the report requires action sooner.
What are the current enforcement consequences?
Local councils enforce the electrical safety regulations in England. Where the required duties are not met, councils can serve remedial notices and, in appropriate cases, arrange remedial action and recover the costs.
Current government guidance states that, for relevant breaches committed from 1 May 2026, local councils may impose a financial penalty of up to £40,000. The rules also provide rights to make representations and appeal against enforcement decisions.
Because enforcement depends on the specific facts, landlords should not rely on the maximum penalty figure as a substitute for dealing promptly with an unsatisfactory electrical report.
A practical sequence after receiving an unsatisfactory EICR
- Read the observations and codes. Identify every C1, C2 and FI item and check whether the report specifies a period shorter than 28 days.
- Deal with immediate danger first. C1 means danger is present and should be treated accordingly.
- Arrange remedial work or further investigation. Use a suitably qualified person and keep appointment records.
- Document access problems or third-party delays. If completion is delayed for reasons outside your control, retain evidence of the reasonable steps taken.
- Obtain written confirmation after the work. Keep the certification with the original EICR.
- Provide the required documents. Supply the report and confirmation to the tenant and deal promptly with any local-authority request.
- Record the next inspection date. Electrical installations in rented properties covered by the regulations must generally be inspected and tested at least every five years, or sooner where the report requires it.
Does every new tenancy need a new EICR?
Not necessarily. Government guidance states that if a valid inspection and test was carried out less than five years ago and the report does not require further remedial or investigative work, a new inspection is not automatically required just because the tenancy changes. The landlord must, however, provide the new tenant with the most recent report before occupation.
A visual check before re-letting is still sensible, particularly if the property has been empty, altered or damaged since the last inspection.
Arranging an EICR for a London rental property
If you need an inspection for a rented property in London, see our Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) service page for the scope of the enquiry.
You can also request a property compliance quote and select one or more services. Scope, availability and price are confirmed before booking.
Official sources
This article was checked against current official guidance available on 26 September 2026:
- GOV.UK — Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance
- The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) (Amendment) (Extension to the Social Rented Sector) Regulations 2025
Compliance duties vary by property type, tenure and circumstances. This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.