What happens if you fail an EICR? Your next steps explained

You’ve had your electrical inspection carried out and your EICR certificate has come back ‘Unsatisfactory’. Now what?

A failed EICR is more common than many property managers expect, particularly in older buildings or across portfolios without a structured inspection programme in place. The result itself isn’t the issue. What matters is how quickly and effectively you respond.

This article focuses on exactly that: your obligations, your timelines, and how to move efficiently from an Unsatisfactory report to a compliant installation.

If you’re not yet familiar with how an EICR works or what the observation codes mean, our earlier guide, ‘What is an EICR and why does your property need one?’, covers that in full.

Satisfactory vs Unsatisfactory: what the outcome actually tells you

An EICR certificate returns one of two outcomes. Satisfactory confirms your installation is in an acceptable condition. Unsatisfactory means one or more C1 or C2 observations have been recorded, faults that represent either an immediate danger or a potentially dangerous condition requiring urgent attention.

The severity of those observations dictates both your timeline and, in some cases, whether the property can remain in use while works are arranged.

What are your legal obligations, and how quickly do you need to act?

The exact requirements depend on the type of property, but the principle is consistent: once an Unsatisfactory EICR certificate has been issued and a risk identified, it must be resolved.

For landlords operating under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, remedial works must be completed within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if the report specifies. Written confirmation must then be provided to tenants and, if requested, to the local authority.

For commercial premises, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems to be maintained in a safe condition. The moment an Unsatisfactory EICR is issued, that obligation becomes tangible. It's also worth checking your insurance position at this point as many policies require electrical installations to be maintained to current standards, and an unresolved Unsatisfactory report can affect your cover.

Can the property remain occupied during remedial works?

This is one of the first questions most facilities managers and landlords ask, and the answer depends on the severity of the faults.

Where C1 observations are present, affected circuits may need to be isolated immediately. Your engineer should advise on this before leaving site. Depending on what’s been isolated, this could impact whether the property can safely remain in use.

C2 observations are less immediate, but still require urgent attention. In many cases, the property can remain operational while works are scheduled, provided appropriate interim measures are in place.

Clear guidance from your contractor is essential. If it isn’t offered, ask directly. You need to know whether continued occupation presents a risk to people, not just compliance.

What do remedial works actually involve?

The scope of remedial works depends entirely on what the inspection has identified.

In some cases, the solution is straightforward. This might include replacing damaged accessories, upgrading protective devices, or correcting minor faults.

In others, more extensive work may be required, such as consumer unit replacement, circuit rewiring, or addressing wider installation issues across a site.

Your EICR will outline the observations clearly. A competent contractor should then translate that into a prioritised plan, complete the necessary works, and issue certification confirming the installation has been brought back into compliance.

It’s also worth noting that remedial works and re-inspection are not the same thing. You don’t always need a full new EICR. What you need is documented confirmation that the C1 and C2 observations have been resolved.

At PK Group, we structure our service to minimise the gap between inspection and resolution. Where observations can be addressed on the day, our engineers will do so, avoiding the delays that come with scheduling a separate return visit and helping you reach sign-off faster.

How to reduce the risk of a failed EICR in future

An Unsatisfactory result is rarely unexpected where a structured maintenance programme is in place.

Electrical systems deteriorate over time. Issues that begin as minor observations often escalate if left unaddressed, eventually becoming more serious faults by the next inspection cycle.

Planned preventative maintenance, combined with prompt attention to issues as they arise, helps keep installations in a safe and compliant condition. For organisations managing multiple properties, this approach is also more cost-effective than dealing with urgent, large-scale remediation.

From failed to compliant. Start your next steps now.

If your report has identified C1 or C2 observations and you need clarity on your next steps, or you manage a portfolio and want a more consistent approach to electrical compliance going forward, the PK Group can help.

We work with local authorities, housing providers, commercial property owners and facilities managers across Chesterfield, Derbyshire, and South Yorkshire — delivering EICR inspections and remedial works as part of a single, managed service.

Call us on 01246 233336 or email info@thepkgroup.co.uk to discuss your requirements.