So, you’ve had your Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) done… and the results aren’t quite what you hoped.
Maybe your electrician mentioned “C2 faults” or “unsatisfactory condition,” and you’re wondering:
“What does that actually mean — and what happens next?”
Don’t panic. Failing an electrical inspection doesn’t mean your home is unsafe to live in or that you’ll have to rewire the entire place tomorrow.
It simply means there are issues that need attention.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
What an electrical inspection actually is
An EICR is a detailed safety check of your home’s wiring, sockets, consumer unit, and protective devices.
It’s designed to see whether your electrical system still meets the current IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) and whether it’s safe for continued use.
Every circuit is tested. Every result is recorded. Then your electrician grades the findings using four simple codes.
The four EICR codes explained
Here’s what your report means — without the jargon:
- C1 – Danger Present
Immediate risk of electric shock or fire.
The circuit should be turned off and repaired right away.
Example: exposed live wires, damaged connections, or missing covers. - C2 – Potentially Dangerous
Not an immediate threat, but it could become one.
Repairs are required as soon as possible.
Example: lack of earthing, faulty RCDs, or outdated fuse boards. - FI – Further Investigation Required
Something’s not right, but more testing is needed to confirm the issue.
Example: readings that don’t match expectations or inaccessible wiring. - C3 – Improvement Recommended
Not dangerous, just outdated.
These aren’t “fails,” but they’re worth sorting for safety and efficiency.
Example: missing labelling, old fittings, or lack of RCD protection on minor circuits.
If your report shows C1 or C2, the overall outcome will be “Unsatisfactory.”
What happens if your installation fails
If your EICR comes back as unsatisfactory, here’s what happens next:
- Your electrician will explain the results clearly — what’s dangerous, what’s not, and what needs doing.
- You’ll receive a written report showing the exact codes, locations, and reasons for each fault.
- You’ll be given options for remedial work — from simple repairs to full rewiring, depending on the severity.
- Once the faults are fixed, your electrician will re-test those circuits and issue a new satisfactory certificate.
In most cases, it’s straightforward — new bonding, replacing an old consumer unit, or upgrading protective devices.
It’s rare that an entire home needs a full rewire.
What if you’re a landlord?
If you rent out property in England, electrical safety isn’t optional — it’s the law.
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must:
- Have an EICR every 5 years, and
- Ensure all C1, C2, and FI faults are repaired or investigated within 28 days (or sooner if specified).
You then need to provide:
- Written confirmation of completed repairs to your tenant, and
- A copy of the updated report to your local housing authority if requested.
Failing to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000 — so it’s not something to ignore.
Typical repairs that follow a failed inspection
Here are some of the most common issues we fix for homeowners and landlords across Basingstoke and Hampshire:
- Replacing outdated fuse boxes with modern metal consumer units
- Upgrading earthing and bonding to current standards
- Repairing damaged sockets, switches, or wiring
- Replacing circuits without proper RCD protection
- Correcting DIY wiring that doesn’t meet regulations
Once the work’s done, we re-test, issue a new EICR, and notify building control if required — all handled by our team.
A note from experience
We’ve seen hundreds of EICRs over the years — and here’s something most people get wrong:
Failing doesn’t mean disaster.
It means discovery.
Your wiring might have been fine when it was installed 30 years ago — but standards evolve, safety improves, and your home has probably doubled its electrical demand since then.
An EICR isn’t bad news. It’s your chance to make sure everything’s working safely before something fails on its own.
Why Basingstoke homeowners trust GU Solutions
At GU Solutions, we’ve been testing, inspecting, and repairing electrical systems across Basingstoke, Hook, Tadley, and Hampshire for over 20 years.
We’re NICEIC Approved Contractors, fully insured, and every EICR or remedial job we do is tested, certified, and fully compliant with UK regulations.
We’ll always explain your report in plain English — no jargon, no fearmongering — just straightforward advice and cost-effective solutions.
Failed your EICR? Don’t panic — fix it properly
If your electrical installation has failed an inspection, the key is to act quickly and professionally.
📞 Call GU Solutions on 01256 473326 or message us online to book your remedial quote or re-test.
We’ll fix the issues, retest the circuits, and make sure your property is safe, compliant, and certified — fast.
Because when it comes to electrical safety, “we’ll get round to it” isn’t good enough.
