EICR codes grade each fault an electrician finds. C1 means danger is present. C2 means potentially dangerous. FI means further investigation is needed. C3 means improvement is recommended. A report is unsatisfactory if it has any C1, C2 or FI code. C3 alone does not fail it.
At a glance
- C1: danger present, immediate action required
- C2: potentially dangerous, urgent action required
- FI: further investigation required
- C3: improvement recommended, not a fail
- Satisfactory means no C1, C2 or FI codes
What do the four EICR codes mean?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) records every defect or departure from the wiring regulations that the electrician finds, and gives each one a code. These EICR codes are how you tell, at a glance, what needs doing and how soon.
| Code | Meaning | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | Danger present. Risk of injury. | Immediate action. A good electrician makes it safe before leaving. |
| C2 | Potentially dangerous. | Urgent remedial work. Do not leave it. |
| C3 | Improvement recommended. | Not unsafe. Worth doing when other work is happening. |
| FI | Further investigation required. | Something could not be resolved on the day and needs looking into. |
When is an EICR unsatisfactory?
An EICR is unsatisfactory if it records one or more C1, C2 or FI codes. The EICR codes work the same way whether the property is a rental, a family home or a shop.
A report with only C3 observations is still satisfactory. Those items are suggestions, not faults, so a landlord does not have to act on them to pass.
An unsatisfactory result is not a sales tactic and it is not a disaster. It is a list of specific items that need attention, and you are free to get the work done by anyone suitably qualified.
What are examples of each EICR code?
Every installation is different, so these are typical rather than guaranteed, and the electrician's judgement on the day decides the code.
- C1 examples: exposed live conductors, a burnt or arcing accessory, a missing earth on a circuit that needs one.
- C2 examples: no RCD protection on socket circuits, no main protective bonding to gas or water, a damaged consumer unit with live parts accessible.
- C3 examples: older style accessories that still work safely, a board that lacks surge protection, labelling that could be clearer.
- FI examples: a circuit that could not be traced or isolated, or readings that suggest a fault that needs more testing.
What should you do after an unsatisfactory EICR?
- Read the observations, not just the overall result. The report lists each item, its code and its location.
- Get the C1, C2 and FI items put right. For rented property in England, the regulations set a deadline: 28 days, or sooner if the report says so.
- Ask for written confirmation once the work is done. This is normally a certificate or a confirmation that the report has been corrected.
- Keep everything together. Landlords, buyers and insurers may all ask for it.
Depending on the findings, the fix may be targeted repairs, a consumer unit upgrade, or in older properties a part or full rewire. We quote the remedial work item by item so you can see what each line is for.
How do EICR codes affect landlords?
For private landlords in England, an unsatisfactory report triggers a legal duty to complete the C1, C2 and FI work. Our landlord electrical safety rules guide sets out the five-year cycle, who must receive the report and the penalties for ignoring it.
