What Happens If EICR Fails? Next Steps, Deadlines & Fines

You've had your electrical installation inspected, and the report has come back as "unsatisfactory." Now what? If you're wondering what happens if EICR fails, you're probably dealing with a mix of concern about safety, confusion over your legal obligations, and worry about potential costs. That's a normal reaction, but the situation is manageable if you act quickly.

A failed EICR means your property's electrical installation has one or more issues classified as potentially dangerous or requiring urgent attention. For landlords, the stakes are particularly high: there are strict deadlines for remedial work and significant fines for non-compliance.

At Electrical Testing London, our engineers carry out hundreds of EICRs across London and the South East each year, and we regularly help property owners through this exact process. This guide covers what a failed EICR actually means, the steps you need to take, the deadlines you're working against, and the penalties you could face if you don't act in time.

What a failed EICR really means

When you ask what happens if EICR fails, the first thing to understand is that "failed" is not the official term used on the report. Your inspector will mark the report as "unsatisfactory", which means at least one issue was found that requires action. Not every observation carries the same urgency, so reading the classification codes is essential before you decide what to do next.

The classification codes explained

Each observation on your EICR is assigned a code that tells you how serious the problem is and what level of response is required. These codes are standardised across the industry, so any qualified electrician will understand them immediately.

A C1 code means there is a live risk to anyone using the property right now. A C2 code means the fault is not causing immediate danger but could escalate without intervention. Either of these will result in an unsatisfactory report. An FI code also triggers an unsatisfactory outcome because the inspector could not confirm safety without additional testing.

A C3 code on its own will not make your EICR unsatisfactory. It is a recommendation for improvement, not a legal requirement to act.

What "unsatisfactory" means in practice

An unsatisfactory EICR means your electrical installation does not meet the current standard set by BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations. This does not always mean your property is immediately dangerous, but it does mean you have a clear legal obligation to carry out remedial work. Ignoring the report is not an option, and for landlords in particular, the consequences of inaction include significant fines.

Your report will list each observation with its code, a description of the fault, and its location in the property. That list becomes your direct action plan for the work ahead.

Step 1. Make the property safe now

When you find out what happens if EICR fails, your first priority is safety, not paperwork. A C1 finding means danger is present right now, and your inspector should have made the installation safe at the time of testing or advised you to isolate the affected circuit before they left.

Deal with C1 codes before anything else

If the C1 fault was not resolved on the day of inspection, do not use the affected circuit until a qualified electrician fixes it. Switch off the relevant breaker at the consumer unit and treat the area as completely off-limits. Work through this checklist straight away:

• Identify which circuit is affected using the observation list in your EICR
• Switch off and lock off that circuit at the consumer unit
• Inform everyone in the property not to use that circuit or the area it supplies
• Contact a qualified electrician to carry out emergency remedial work

If you cannot safely isolate the specific circuit, turn off the main supply and get a qualified electrician on site the same day.

Notify your tenants or occupants promptly

If people are living or working in the property, tell them about the affected areas straight away. You are legally responsible for their safety during this period, and keeping them uninformed is not acceptable. Send a brief written message explaining which areas to avoid and what steps you are taking. Keep a copy of that message in case you need to demonstrate later that you acted responsibly.

Step 2. Plan remedial work and re-test

Once immediate dangers are under control, plan the full scope of remedial work using your EICR observation list. Every C1, C2, and FI item on the report needs resolving before you can obtain a satisfactory certificate. Work through the list by code severity and get quotes from qualified electricians who can reference the report directly.

Work to the 28-day deadline

For landlords, the 28-day rule is the most critical number to understand when considering what happens if EICR fails. Once you receive an unsatisfactory report, you have 28 days to complete all remedial work and provide written confirmation to both your tenants and your local authority. If your report specifies a shorter timeframe for urgent faults, that shorter period overrides the standard 28 days.

If your local authority requests evidence of completed remedial work, you must supply it within 28 days of that request or face a fine of up to £30,000.

Get a re-test and new certificate

After a qualified electrician completes the repairs, book a re-test of the installation. The electrician should provide a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or a full Electrical Installation Certificate for the work done. A qualified engineer will then re-inspect and re-test the affected circuits to confirm they now meet BS 7671.

When arranging the re-test, have these documents ready:

• Copies of all certificates issued for the remedial work
• A record of which EICR observations were addressed
• Written confirmation that all C1, C2, and FI items are resolved

Step 3. Stay compliant as a landlord or business

After completing remedial work and obtaining a satisfactory EICR, your compliance obligations don't end there. Understanding what happens if EICR fails is only part of the picture; ongoing compliance is what protects you from future fines and keeps your tenants or employees safe long term.

Know your re-testing intervals

Residential landlords must carry out a new EICR at least every five years, or at the start of each new tenancy if that falls sooner. Commercial properties often require more frequent testing depending on the type of business and the environment. Check the recommended re-inspection period on your current EICR, as your inspector will state the appropriate interval based on the installation's condition and usage.

Keep your compliance records organised

Landlords must supply a copy of the satisfactory EICR to each tenant within 28 days of the inspection, and to any prospective tenant within 28 days of their request. Businesses should retain all electrical safety certificates and inspection records for a minimum of five years. Use this checklist to keep everything in order:

• Store the original EICR and all remedial work certificates together in one folder
• Log the next re-inspection date in your calendar immediately after the current test
• Send copies to tenants and keep proof of delivery for each

Losing your compliance records does not protect you from enforcement action; the obligation to prove compliance sits with you, not the inspector.

Can you rent or sell with an unsatisfactory EICR

Understanding what happens if EICR fails goes beyond knowing what to fix. It directly affects your legal ability to let or sell your property, and the answer depends on whether you are a landlord or a seller.

Renting with an unsatisfactory EICR

You cannot legally rent out a residential property in England if your EICR is unsatisfactory. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 make it a legal requirement to hold a satisfactory report before granting a new tenancy, and to maintain one throughout an existing tenancy. If you let a property without a satisfactory EICR, your local authority can issue a remedial notice and then carry out the work themselves, recovering the cost from you.

Local authorities can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for non-compliance with the electrical safety regulations.

Selling with an unsatisfactory EICR

There is no law that prevents you from selling a property with an unsatisfactory EICR, but it creates a significant practical problem. Buyers, solicitors, and mortgage lenders will flag the report during the conveyancing process, and most buyers will either renegotiate the price, request the remedial work is completed before exchange, or walk away entirely. Your best move is to resolve all C1, C2, and FI observations before listing the property, so the sale proceeds without complications.

Where to go from here

Now you know what happens if EICR fails: you classify the observations, act immediately on C1 faults, complete all remedial work within 28 days, arrange a re-test, and maintain your compliance records going forward. The process is straightforward when you break it into clear steps, and acting quickly protects both the people in the property and your legal position.

If your report has come back unsatisfactory, or you need an EICR carried out on a residential or commercial property in London or the South East, Electrical Testing London's engineers can help you move from inspection through to a satisfactory certificate efficiently. Our team has the experience to assess your report, carry out any required remedial work, and get you back to full compliance without unnecessary delays. Request a quote for your EICR or remedial work and we'll get back to you promptly.