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On an EICR, C1 means danger present, C2 potentially dangerous, C3 improvement recommended and FI further investigation required; a C1 or C2 makes the report unsatisfactory and remedial work is due within 28 days (or any shorter period the report specifies).
Last checked: 18 October 2026
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) records its findings against a fixed set of outcome codes. The meanings below are from GOV.UK guidance on electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors.
Which code a defect receives is the inspector's decision. This page cannot tell you whether a particular defect is a C1 or a C2.
If codes C1 or C2 are identified in the report, remedial work will be required, and the report states that the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use.
These rules are from the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, as GOV.UK guidance describes them. They are general information, not advice on a specific property.
The current amendment of BS 7671 is A4:2026. The IET states that under Amendment 4, for the EICR, it is clarified that issuing an FI code for further investigation should not result in an unsatisfactory outcome.
That sentence is about the FI code only.
NexCert issues the EICR for domestic installations up to a 100 A supply, with a 12-section schedule, and a separate commercial EICR. The engineer records observations against the codes above on site.
When a C1 is recorded on an EICR or a Domestic Visual Condition Report, NexCert raises an Electrical Danger Notice automatically. The notice tells the responsible person that danger is present and what action was taken.
The certificate pages: EICR (domestic), EICR (commercial), Domestic Visual Condition Report.
General information about public law and standards, not advice on a specific installation or property. Which code, certificate or interval applies to a particular installation is for the qualified person who inspects it.
/ FAQ
The codes recorded on an EICR are C1, C2, C3 and FI, plus N/V, LIM and N/A.
GOV.UK guidance describes C1 as "Danger present. Risk of injury." In NexCert, a C1 on an EICR or a Domestic Visual Condition Report raises an Electrical Danger Notice automatically, which tells the responsible person about the danger and the action taken.
GOV.UK guidance describes C2 as "Potentially dangerous." A C3 means improvement is recommended, which "does not indicate remedial work is required".
Yes. GOV.UK guidance says that if codes C1 or C2 are identified, remedial work will be required and the report states that the installation is unsatisfactory for continued use.
Within 28 days, or any shorter period the report specifies. Written confirmation of the work goes to the tenant and the local council within 28 days of completing it. This is general information about the regulations, not advice on a specific property.
GOV.UK guidance describes FI as "Further investigation required without delay." The IET states that under BS 7671 Amendment 4, issuing an FI code for further investigation should not result in an unsatisfactory outcome.
No. Which code a defect receives is the inspector's decision. This page does not say whether a particular defect is a C1 or a C2.
The tenant receives the report within 28 days of the inspection. A new tenant gets the report before they occupy the property.
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, an EICR is needed on every fixed installation at least every 5 years, by a qualified person. See how often each certificate is due.
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