EICR Codes Explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI (and What to Fix)

What do EICR codes C1, C2, C3 and FI mean?

EICR codes are the classifications an electrician gives each observation in an Electrical Installation Condition Report. C1 means danger is present and immediate action is required; C2 means the defect is potentially dangerous and urgent remedial action is required; C3 means improvement is recommended; and FI means further investigation is required without delay.

Any C1, C2 or FI makes the whole report ‘unsatisfactory’. A report with only C3 observations, or none at all, is ‘satisfactory’. For a landlord, an unsatisfactory report starts a legal clock: the remedial work or investigation must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.

How are the four codes different?

The difference is how close the defect is to causing harm. The table shows what each code means for the report outcome and for you as a landlord.

A C3 is not a failure. It usually means part of the installation does not meet the current edition of BS 7671 but is not considered dangerous. Older London homes often carry several C3 observations and still receive a satisfactory report.

What does the law require when an EICR is unsatisfactory?

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (SI 2020/312) set two deadlines. First, any remedial work or further investigation identified in the report must be completed by a qualified and competent person within 28 days, or within any shorter period the report specifies. Second, you must give written confirmation that the work is complete to each tenant and to the local authority within 28 days of completion.

In practice, the evidence is the electrician’s certificate for the remedial work, either an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate depending on the job. Send it with a short covering note that lists each code and how it was resolved, and keep a copy with the original report.

The same regulations require you to give a copy of the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection, to new tenants before they move in, and to the local authority within 7 days of a request. Local authorities can impose financial penalties of up to £30,000 per breach, so the paperwork matters as much as the repair.

What are typical C1 findings in London homes?

C1 is reserved for danger that exists now, where someone could receive an electric shock or a fire could start without any further fault. The classic example is an exposed live part that a person could touch.

• A socket or switch with a broken faceplate exposing live terminals.
• A consumer unit with missing blanks or a broken cover, where live parts can be touched.
• Damaged cable with visible live conductors, for example in a loft or behind kitchen units after building work.
• Metalwork, such as a light fitting or appliance casing, found to be live because of a fault.

A C1 should be made safe immediately, usually by the inspector isolating the affected circuit or equipment with your agreement, before a permanent repair is arranged.

What are typical C2 findings?

C2 covers defects that are not dangerous at this moment but could become dangerous if a fault or other event occurs. These are the codes London landlords most often have to act on. Coding always depends on the inspector’s judgement of the specific installation, assessed against BS 7671 and the Electrical Safety First Best Practice Guide 4. The table gives typical examples across all four codes.

In London, missing RCD protection often shows up on sockets near a back door or in a kitchen that opens onto a garden, because a tenant could reasonably plug in garden equipment there. We also find main bonding missing where gas or water pipework has been altered during a refurbishment and the bonding conductor was not reinstated.

What are typical C3 findings, and do I have to fix them?

No. C3 items are recommendations, and the 28-day rule does not apply to them. They still deserve attention, because an installation that needs improvement today will not get better with age.

Common C3 observations in London rentals include an older plastic consumer unit, the absence of a surge protection device, and missing labels or warning notices. Whether a particular item is a C3, a C2 or not coded at all depends on its location, its condition and the rest of the installation, which is why two similar-looking homes can receive different codes.

A sensible approach is to plan C3 items for the next void period. If several relate to the consumer unit, it may be more economical to replace it in one visit than to deal with each observation separately. Our consumer unit replacement service starts from £299 inc. VAT for domestic properties, with the final price confirmed after survey.

When is FI used instead of a code?

FI is used when the inspector has seen something that suggests a dangerous or potentially dangerous defect but could not confirm it within the scope of the inspection. Examples include a circuit that cannot be traced to its origin, or test results that point to a fault the inspector could not locate.

FI is not meant for areas the inspector simply did not inspect. Those are recorded as limitations, such as a locked cupboard or furniture blocking access. If you see limitations on your report, ask whether they hide anything important, and arrange access next time so the inspection is as complete as possible.

Because an FI makes the report unsatisfactory, the investigation must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if stated. If the investigation uncovers a defect, treat the resulting repair with the same urgency and include it in your written confirmation.

Does BS 7671 Amendment 4:2026 change how my EICR is coded?

Not for an existing report. Inspections are carried out to BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations (18th Edition). BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (Amendment 4) was published on 15 April 2026 and could be used straight away, and the previous version (A2:2022+A3:2024) is withdrawn six months later, in mid-October 2026.

A new amendment does not make an installation unsafe overnight. An EICR assesses whether the installation is safe for continued use, and a departure from the latest edition is coded according to the risk it presents, not simply because the rules have changed. You do not need a new EICR because Amendment 4 has been published; your next routine inspection will be carried out to the version in force at the time.

Do the same codes apply to owner-occupiers, HMOs and businesses?

Yes. The four codes are the same on every EICR, whether the property is a rented flat, an HMO, a family home or a shop. What changes is the legal consequence and the recommended interval between inspections.

• Rented homes: the 2020 regulations turn the 28-day remedial deadline into a legal duty, with penalties of up to £30,000 per breach. The typical recommended interval is 5 years or a change of occupancy.
• HMOs: the same rules apply, and HMO licences in London commonly require a satisfactory EICR, so check your borough’s licence conditions before the inspection is due.
• Owner-occupied homes: IET Guidance Note 3 typically recommends a maximum interval of 10 years. There is no legal deadline to act on the codes, but C1 and C2 items still present a real risk to the household.
• Commercial premises: the typical recommended maximum interval is 5 years, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained to prevent danger.

What should I do if I disagree with a code?

Ask for the evidence first. A code should be backed by a clear description, a location and, where relevant, test results or photos. Most disagreements are resolved once both sides look at the same information.

1. Ask the inspector to explain. Request the location, the reason for the code and any supporting test results or photos.
2. Compare it with Best Practice Guide 4. The Electrical Safety First guide gives coding examples that most inspectors follow.
3. Get a second opinion. Ask another registered electrician to inspect the specific item on site, not just read the report, and put their view in writing.
4. Use the complaints process. If you remain unhappy, the scheme the electrician is registered with has a complaints procedure.

Keep an eye on the deadline while you do this. The 28-day period still runs, and if there is a reasonable chance the C2 is correct, fixing it is usually quicker and cheaper than disputing it.

How can I avoid surprises at the next EICR?

Most surprises come from changes nobody recorded. A little preparation makes the inspection quicker and the report more complete.

• Keep the previous report and give it to the inspector; the 2020 regulations require landlords to keep a copy for the next inspection.
• Arrange access to every room, the loft and the consumer unit, and warn tenants that the power will be off for parts of the visit.
• Keep certificates for any electrical work done since the last inspection, such as a new circuit or a kitchen refit.
• Ask tenants to report damaged sockets, switches or scorch marks as soon as they appear, rather than waiting for the next inspection.

How much does it cost to fix EICR codes in London?

The inspection has a fixed price; remedial work is quoted afterwards because it depends on what was found. Our domestic EICR costs from £79 inc. VAT for a studio, £99 for 1–2 bedrooms, £119 for 3–4 bedrooms and £149 for 5–6 bedrooms, covering one consumer unit, with each additional consumer unit £65–£85. For shops, offices and other business premises, a commercial EICR starts at £149 for up to 5 circuits.

For remedial work, ask for a quote itemised against each code, so you can see what is legally required (C1, C2 and FI) and what is optional (C3). Consumer unit replacement is the largest common item, from £299 inc. VAT for domestic and £799 for commercial premises, final price after survey. Electrical inspections are carried out by NICEIC / NAPIT registered electricians, qualified to BS 7671. For the full list of documents a rental needs alongside the EICR, see our London landlord compliance checklist.

How we wrote this guide: this article was written and reviewed by BritCertify’s technical team, including Gas Safe registered engineers, NICEIC/NAPIT registered electricians and NEBOSH-qualified fire risk assessors. It was checked against the cited legislation and official guidance, including SI 2020/312 and the GOV.UK guidance for landlords, and was last reviewed in October 2026.