Understanding Your EICR Report

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal document produced by a qualified electrician after inspecting and testing the fixed electrical installation in a property. Think of it as an MOT for your home's electrics — it checks whether the wiring, sockets, light fittings, consumer unit (fuse box), and other permanently installed electrical components are safe and working correctly.

The inspection involves both a visual check and a series of electrical tests. The electrician will look for signs of wear, damage, and deterioration, and use specialist equipment to measure things like insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, and RCD trip times. These tests reveal problems that are not visible to the naked eye — for example, wiring that has degraded inside the walls or an earth connection that is no longer effective.

Since 1 June 2020, landlords in England are legally required to have an EICR carried out on their rental properties at least every 5 years. You are entitled to a copy of this report, and your landlord must provide it to you before you move in (for new tenancies) or within 28 days of the inspection (for existing tenancies).

The EICR is typically several pages long and follows a standard format set out by the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology). While the technical details can be overwhelming, the key information you need is relatively straightforward once you know where to look.

When you first receive your EICR, it can feel like reading a foreign language. Here is a section-by-section guide to help you understand what you are looking at.

Page 1: Details of the installation and the inspector

The first page contains basic information about the property, the person who carried out the inspection, and the scope of work. Check that the address matches your property and that the inspector's details include their registration body (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) and their registration number. This confirms they are qualified to carry out the inspection.

The overall assessment

Near the top of the report, you will find the overall assessment. This is the most important part for you as a tenant. It will say either "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory". Satisfactory means the electrical installation is in an acceptable condition with no dangerous or potentially dangerous defects. Unsatisfactory means that one or more serious defects have been found and remedial work is required.

Schedule of inspections

This section lists each part of the installation that was inspected and the result. It covers things like the consumer unit, main earthing, bonding, and the condition of wiring in each circuit. Results are recorded using the standard observation codes (C1, C2, C3, FI) which are explained in the next section.

Schedule of circuit details and test results

This is the most technical section, containing the actual test measurements for each circuit in your home. Unless you are an electrician, you do not need to interpret these numbers — the observation codes summarise whether each circuit passes or fails.

Observations and recommendations

This section lists all the specific issues found during the inspection, each with a classification code. This is where you can see exactly what needs attention and how urgently. Pay close attention to any C1 or C2 observations — these are the ones that affect the overall "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" outcome.

The next inspection date

The electrician will recommend when the next EICR should be carried out. For domestic rental properties, this is usually within 5 years, but it can be sooner if the installation is older or in poor condition.

The observation codes used in an EICR tell you how serious each defect is. Understanding these codes is the key to knowing whether your home is safe and what action is needed.

C1 — Danger present

A C1 classification means there is an immediate risk of injury. This is the most serious category. Examples include exposed live wiring, a lack of earthing on circuits, or a consumer unit with missing covers that expose live parts. C1 defects require immediate action — the electrician may make the situation safe during the inspection itself (for example, by isolating a dangerous circuit), but full repair work must follow as soon as possible. An EICR with any C1 observations will always be graded Unsatisfactory.

C2 — Potentially dangerous

A C2 classification means the defect could become dangerous under certain conditions. It may not present an immediate risk, but it needs to be fixed promptly. Examples include circuits without RCD protection where required, damaged cable insulation that is not yet exposing live conductors, or a bonding conductor that has been disconnected. C2 defects must be rectified within 28 days. An EICR with any C2 observations will also be graded Unsatisfactory.

C3 — Improvement recommended

A C3 classification means the installation does not fully meet the current edition of the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022), but does not present a safety risk. This often applies to older installations that were compliant when installed but do not meet the latest standards. For example, a consumer unit that does not have RCD protection on all circuits, or a lack of additional protection for socket outlets. C3 observations are advisory — your landlord is not legally required to carry out C3 work, and C3 items alone will not make the report Unsatisfactory.

FI — Further investigation required

An FI classification means the electrician could not fully assess a particular part of the installation during the inspection and further investigation is needed. This might be because an area was inaccessible (for example, wiring hidden behind a permanently fixed cabinet), or because a test result was unusual and needs further analysis. FI observations should be followed up promptly, as they may conceal a C1 or C2 defect. If the EICR contains FI observations, the report may be graded Unsatisfactory until the investigation is complete.

Here is a summary table for quick reference:

• C1 — Danger present. Immediate action required. Report is Unsatisfactory.
• C2 — Potentially dangerous. Fix within 28 days. Report is Unsatisfactory.
• C3 — Improvement recommended. Advisory only. Report remains Satisfactory.
• FI — Further investigation needed. May be Unsatisfactory until resolved.

The overall assessment on your EICR — Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory — is the single most important piece of information on the report. Here is what each means for you as a tenant.

Satisfactory

A Satisfactory result means the electrician has inspected and tested the fixed electrical installation and found no defects that present an immediate or potential danger. The installation meets an acceptable standard of safety. There may be C3 (improvement recommended) observations, but these are advisory and do not affect the overall outcome.

A Satisfactory EICR does not mean the installation is perfect or brand new — it means it is safe for continued use. Your landlord should retain this report and provide you with a copy. The report will also state when the next inspection should take place.

Unsatisfactory

An Unsatisfactory result means one or more C1, C2, or unresolved FI observations were found. This is a serious matter. Your landlord is legally required to:

• Arrange for a qualified electrician to carry out all necessary remedial work within 28 days of the report date (or sooner for C1 defects)
• Obtain written confirmation from the electrician that the work has been completed satisfactorily
• Send you a copy of this confirmation within 28 days of the work being completed
• Send a copy to the local authority within 28 days if the authority has been notified

If you receive a copy of an Unsatisfactory EICR, or if your landlord tells you the EICR was Unsatisfactory, you should follow up to confirm that remedial work has been scheduled. You have every right to ask for updates and to receive the written confirmation once the work is done.

What if the work is not completed in time?

If your landlord fails to complete remedial work within the 28-day period, the local authority can step in. They can arrange for the work to be carried out themselves and recover the costs from the landlord. They can also impose financial penalties. As a tenant, your role is to report the non-compliance to the local council if your landlord is not acting within the required timeframe.

Once you have received and understood your EICR, here is what you should do and what to expect going forward.

If the report is Satisfactory

Keep your copy of the report in a safe place. Note the recommended date for the next inspection — this is typically 5 years from the inspection date, but may be sooner for older installations. You do not need to take any further action, but it is good practice to carry out your own visual checks periodically (see our Electrical Safety Rights guide for a simple checklist).

If the report is Unsatisfactory

Your landlord must arrange remedial work within 28 days. During this period:

• Your landlord (or their electrician) should contact you to arrange access for the repairs
• The work should be carried out by a qualified electrician — not a general handyman
• Once complete, the electrician will re-test the affected circuits and provide written confirmation
• Your landlord must send you a copy of this confirmation within 28 days

If 28 days pass and you have not heard anything, write to your landlord asking for an update. If they still do not act, contact your local council's housing team.

If you have not received an EICR at all

If you have never received a copy of the EICR for your property, start by requesting one in writing from your landlord. State that under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, they are required to provide you with a copy. Give them 28 days to respond. If they do not provide it, report the matter to your local council.

Keeping records

Always keep copies of:

• The EICR report itself
• Any correspondence with your landlord about electrical safety
• Written confirmation of remedial work
• Photos of any electrical hazards you have reported

These records protect you if a dispute arises and are invaluable if you need to involve the local council. A clear paper trail demonstrates that you have acted responsibly and that your landlord has (or has not) met their obligations.

Your ongoing rights

Remember that you have the right to request a copy of the EICR at any time during your tenancy. If you suspect the installation has deteriorated or if you experience electrical problems, you can ask your landlord to arrange a new inspection even if the previous one is still within its 5-year validity period.