Unsatisfactory EICR: What Happens Next and How Long Do You Have to Fix It?

An unsatisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report means the inspector has found at least one issue that requires action. What happens next depends on the code, the property and why the report was commissioned. A C1 danger needs immediate action; a C2 requires urgent remedial work. Homeowners and businesses do not have one universal statutory deadline, while landlords must also follow the rules that apply where the property is located.

If the property is in Cardiff or elsewhere in Wales, be careful with online advice that says every failed EICR must be repaired within 28 days. That specific deadline is part of the rules for rented properties in England; it should not be presented as the general rule for Wales. Whatever the legal position, an electrical safety defect should be made safe and repaired without avoidable delay.

This guide explains the practical next steps, the difference between immediate and urgent work, what paperwork you should receive and when another full EICR is—or is not—needed.

What does an unsatisfactory EICR mean?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) assesses the condition of a property’s fixed electrical installation. The overall result is marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Under current report wording, a C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) observation makes the report unsatisfactory. A C3 is a recommendation for improvement and does not fail the report. For a fuller explanation, see our guide to C1, C2, C3 and FI codes on an EICR.

“Unsatisfactory” does not automatically mean the whole property needs rewiring, nor does it tell you the likely cost. One localised defect can cause the overall result, while a report containing several observations may require a planned programme of work. The schedule of observations is the place to start.

What should you do immediately after a failed EICR?

1. Check whether the report contains a C1

A C1 means danger is present and immediate action is required. The inspector may already have isolated the affected circuit or equipment, but you should confirm exactly what has been made safe and what remains to be repaired. Do not reconnect or use anything that has been isolated until a competent electrician confirms it is safe.

2. Read every observation, not just the overall result

Each observation should identify the location and nature of the defect. Ask for clarification if wording is vague or if you cannot tell which circuit, accessory or part of the installation is affected. A code is a safety classification, not a detailed quotation.

3. Obtain a clear remedial-work quotation

The electrician should explain what work is required, whether any further investigation is needed, which circuits may need to be switched off and whether the repair is likely to cause disruption. A good quotation separates essential remedial work from optional C3 improvements.

4. Keep the original report

Do not replace or discard the unsatisfactory EICR. It forms part of the property’s electrical records and should be kept with the certificate or written confirmation issued for the remedial work.

How long do you have to fix an unsatisfactory EICR?

There is no single answer that applies to every property in the UK. The safest way to read the timescale is:

C1: action is immediate

A C1 is not something to schedule several weeks ahead while the installation continues to present a danger. The immediate priority is to remove the risk—often by isolation or a temporary safety measure—followed by a permanent repair as soon as practicable.

C2: remedial work is urgent

A C2 is potentially dangerous. Although it is not necessarily an exposed live part at the moment of inspection, it requires urgent remedial action. Arrange the work promptly and follow any shorter timescale or safety instruction stated on the report.

Homeowners and owner-occupiers

An owner-occupier does not normally have a general statutory 28-day EICR repair deadline simply because a report is unsatisfactory. That is not a reason to delay: the classification describes an electrical safety risk, and insurers, buyers, lenders or other parties may impose their own requirements or timescales.

Commercial properties

For workplaces and commercial premises, the duty holder must manage electrical risk under the relevant health and safety obligations. The practical deadline should be based on the severity of the defect, the inspector’s advice and a suitable risk assessment—not on waiting for the next periodic inspection.

What is the deadline for landlords in Wales?

Gabe Electrical is based in Cardiff, so the Welsh position matters. Under Wales’s fitness-for-human-habitation requirements, landlords must ensure the electrical installation is tested at least every five years and provide the contract-holder with the required report. Where investigatory or remedial work is carried out, the contract-holder must also receive written confirmation of that work within 14 days of the landlord receiving it.

Welsh guidance does not turn the English 28-day repair rule into a universal Welsh deadline. Landlords should nevertheless act promptly on an unsatisfactory report: make any C1 danger safe immediately, arrange urgent C2 remedial work and retain a clear record of appointments, access attempts, completed work and certification.

If you are a landlord, agent or contract-holder dealing with a specific compliance question, use the current Welsh Government and Rent Smart Wales guidance or obtain appropriate legal advice. Electrical safety and tenancy compliance overlap, but they are not the same thing.

What about rented properties in England?

In England, the Electrical Safety Standards regulations require a landlord to complete necessary remedial or investigative work within 28 days, or sooner when the report specifies a shorter period. This is why “28 days” appears so often in search results.

It is a maximum timescale, not permission to leave an immediate danger in place. A C1 still calls for immediate action. The English rules also require written confirmation of completed work to be supplied as prescribed.

Can you use a different electrician for the repairs?

Yes. The electrician who carried out the EICR does not have to carry out the remedial work. You may ask another suitably competent electrician to review the report, quote and complete the repairs.

The second electrician must still assess the installation and take responsibility for the work they carry out. They should not simply change or remove an observation from somebody else’s report without evidence. If the classification itself is disputed, ask for a clear technical explanation and record what was inspected or tested.

Do you need another full EICR after the repairs?

Not usually. Completing remedial work does not normally mean paying for the entire periodic inspection again. The appropriate outcome depends on the work performed:

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

This may be appropriate for certain additions or alterations that do not include a new circuit, subject to the nature of the work.

Electrical Installation Certificate

This is generally used for new circuits, consumer-unit replacement and other work within its scope.

Written confirmation or remedial-work record

Where appropriate, the electrician may provide a written schedule cross-referencing the original EICR observations and confirming what has been rectified. Keep this with the original report and any certificates.

A full repeat EICR may be appropriate where the original inspection was inadequate, the extent of the installation has materially changed, further investigation reveals wider concerns or a third party specifically requires a new report.

Will the original EICR become “satisfactory”?

The original report records the condition of the installation on the date it was inspected, so it is not usually rewritten after the event. Instead, the unsatisfactory EICR is retained together with the certificates or written evidence showing that the relevant defects have been remedied.

Taken together, those documents provide the audit trail. If a buyer, tenant, agent, insurer or other party asks for proof, provide both the original report and the subsequent remedial documentation.

How much will EICR remedial work cost?

The word “unsatisfactory” alone does not give a reliable price. Cost depends on the number and nature of the observations, access, the condition of the wiring, whether parts are available, whether circuits need further investigation and how much making-good is involved.

Some reports are resolved with a small number of focused repairs. Others uncover faults that require tracing, circuit alterations or consumer-unit work. Ask for the quotation to reference the observation numbers so you can see exactly what is included.

If you are still at the inspection stage, our guide to EICR costs in Cardiff explains why inspection prices and scope can vary.

Common questions after an unsatisfactory EICR

Can I still use the electricity?

Not every unsatisfactory report requires the entire supply to be switched off. A C1 may require immediate isolation of the affected part. With a C2, follow the inspector’s specific advice and do not use any circuit or equipment that has been identified as unsafe.

Does one C2 really fail the whole report?

Yes. A single C1 or C2 observation is enough for the overall assessment to be unsatisfactory.

Do all C3 observations have to be fixed?

A C3 is an improvement recommendation and does not make the EICR unsatisfactory. It is sensible to discuss C3 items while other work is being planned, but keep them separate from the defects necessary to address the failed result.

Does an unsatisfactory EICR mean I need a rewire?

No. A rewire is only justified when the condition and extent of the installation make that the appropriate solution. The report, test results and any further investigation should support the recommendation.

Can remedial work start before I receive the final report?

Immediate safety action may be required before the completed paperwork arrives. For planned work, make sure the observations and agreed scope are sufficiently clear, and obtain the final report for your records.

Need help after an unsatisfactory EICR in Cardiff?

Gabe Electrical carries out EICR remedial work for homeowners, landlords and businesses across Cardiff and the surrounding areas. We can review the observations, explain what is urgent, provide a clear quotation and issue the appropriate certification for work completed.

Visit our electrical testing and EICR service page or contact Gabe Electrical to discuss your report.

Authoritative guidance

For Wales, see the Welsh Government fitness-for-human-habitation guidance for landlords and Rent Smart Wales guidance on EICR codes and paperwork. The separate 28-day rule for rented properties in England is explained in the UK Government guidance for England.

Electrical classifications and the necessary response depend on the installation observed and the competent inspector’s professional judgement. If a report identifies immediate danger, follow the safety instructions given for that property.