Do I need a new EICR after repairs?

Not usually. The original report plus the certificates for the remedial work are normally enough. Some agents and councils prefer a fresh satisfactory report, so check what yours wants.

Can I use a different electrician for the repairs?

Yes. You're under no obligation to use the inspector. Any competent, qualified electrician can do the work and certify it.

Will a C2 for no RCD mean a new fuse board?

Not always. Depending on the circuits and the board, options can range from RCD-protected sockets to adding an RCD unit or replacing the consumer unit.

EICR failed? What to do next

An unsatisfactory EICR isn't a disaster. It's a to-do list. Here's how to deal with it quickly and properly.

EICR

Updated 20 October 2026

5 min read

What "unsatisfactory" means, the deadlines landlords face, how to get the repairs done, the paperwork that proves it, and when to question the report.

What "unsatisfactory" means

An EICR is unsatisfactory if it contains at least one C1, C2 or FI observation. It doesn't mean the house needs rewiring. Very often it's two or three specific items: an RCD missing from a circuit, a bonding conductor that needs adding, a damaged accessory. See EICR codes explained.

Deadlines for landlords

Private and social landlords must complete the remedial work or investigation within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so, and then confirm in writing to the tenant and the local council within 28 days of the work being done. C3 items don't have a deadline. If a C1 was found, the inspector should already have made it safe.

Getting the work done

Get an itemised quote that lists each C1, C2 and FI observation and the work to clear it. Be wary of quotes that bundle unrelated upgrades in with the safety repairs.
Book it promptly, especially if you're a landlord on a 28-day clock.
Get the right certificates: a Minor Works Certificate for small repairs, or an Electrical Installation Certificate for bigger work like a new consumer unit, with building control notification where required.
Keep everything together: the original EICR plus the certificates show the installation is now satisfactory. You don't always need a whole new EICR.

FI items

An FI needs investigating to find out what's really going on. Once investigated it's either cleared, fixed, or re-classified. Ask for the outcome in writing.

When to question a report

Most inspectors code fairly, but if a report seems to have an unusually long list of C2s, especially for things that look cosmetic, or offers no test results to back up its findings, ask the inspector to explain each code with reference to industry guidance. You're entitled to a second opinion, and to use any qualified electrician for the repairs.

Questions people ask

About this guide. Written by the electricians who carry out this work across Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford and Buckingham, and checked against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and current GOV.UK guidance. It is general guidance, not legal advice for your specific property.

Remedial work