A certificate marked “unsatisfactory” can look alarming, particularly when the report is full of circuit numbers, test figures and code references. An EICR report example makes those pages much easier to understand. It shows what an electrician has inspected, which defects need attention, and whether the installation can remain in service safely while work is arranged.
For landlords, the report is a compliance record. For homeowners, it is a practical health check for wiring that may have been hidden behind walls and fitted units for decades. For businesses and developers, it provides evidence that an installation has been assessed against the relevant electrical safety requirements.
What an EICR is designed to tell you
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is the result of a periodic inspection and testing process, carried out on the fixed electrical installation. That includes items such as the consumer unit or distribution board, sockets, switches, wiring, earthing and bonding arrangements, and fixed electrical equipment where applicable.
It is not the same as a certificate for new installation work. An Electrical Installation Certificate is issued after new work has been completed and tested. An EICR assesses the condition of an existing installation at a particular point in time.
The electrician will review the installation as far as it can be safely and reasonably accessed, then carry out a mixture of visual checks and electrical tests. That distinction matters. No report can confirm the condition of cables concealed in every wall, floor or ceiling. Any access limitations should be stated clearly within the document.
EICR report example: the sections you will see
Although layouts differ between contractors and reporting software, a properly completed report follows a familiar structure. The front pages identify the client, property address, installation type and reason for the inspection. They also record the report outcome and recommended date for the next inspection.
That recommended date is not an expiry date or a guarantee that nothing can change before then. Damage, alteration, water ingress, DIY work or a new high-load appliance can affect safety at any time. It is simply the electrician’s recommendation based on the installation’s use and condition on the day.
Installation details and supply information
This section records the incoming supply, earthing arrangement, consumer unit details and the main protective devices. It may include technical information such as the supply polarity, prospective fault current and main earthing conductor size.
These details help establish whether protective devices should operate quickly enough if a fault occurs. They also give a future electrician a useful starting point when planning an alteration, such as an electric vehicle charge point, battery storage system or additional circuits for an extension.
Circuit schedule and test results
The circuit schedule is often the most technical-looking part of the report. It lists the circuits supplied by each board – for example, downstairs sockets, kitchen sockets, lighting, cooker, shower or smoke alarms – alongside the type and rating of protective device.
Test readings may include continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD operation times. You do not need to interpret every number yourself. What matters is that the test results support safe operation and that any readings outside acceptable limits are reflected in the observations section.
A good report should not rely on vague descriptions such as “fault on sockets”. It should identify the circuit, location and nature of the issue clearly enough for remedial work to be planned and priced properly.
Observations and classification codes
This is the section most clients turn to first. Each observation describes a defect, omission or concern and is assigned a classification code. The code determines whether the overall report can be satisfactory.
A C1 observation means danger is present and immediate action is required. An example could be exposed live parts that can be touched. The electrician may make the area safe straight away with your agreement, but the underlying defect still needs to be recorded and corrected.
A C2 observation means potentially dangerous. There may not be an immediate shock risk in normal use, but a fault or foreseeable event could create danger. A damaged accessory exposing conductive parts, or a missing protective measure where it is needed, may fall into this category.
FI means further investigation is required without delay. This is used where the electrician has found something that cannot be fully assessed during the visit and could indicate danger. It is not a minor note to leave until the next inspection. Further investigation needs to be arranged before safety can be confirmed.
A C3 recommendation identifies an improvement that is advised but does not make the report unsatisfactory on its own. For instance, an older installation may benefit from upgraded protection even when no immediate defect has been identified. C3 observations are useful when budgeting for future improvements, especially during a refurbishment or before installing modern electrical equipment.
A realistic example of a report outcome
Imagine a three-bedroom rental property in Newcastle with an older consumer unit and a kitchen extension added several years ago. The electrician finds that the installation has no up-to-date circuit identification, one socket outlet is cracked, and the kitchen socket circuit does not have the expected additional protective measures.
The report might record the damaged socket as C2 if its condition creates a potential danger. The lack of clear labelling could be a C3 recommendation because it makes isolation less straightforward but does not, by itself, present danger. If testing on the kitchen circuit produces an unexpected reading that cannot be resolved within the inspection, it may be recorded as FI.
Because the report contains a C2 and an FI, the overall outcome would be unsatisfactory. That does not automatically mean the whole property must be left without electricity. It means remedial work and, where required, further investigation are needed before a satisfactory condition can be confirmed.
Once the issues have been corrected, the electrician should provide clear documentation for the remedial work. Depending on what was required, that may be a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, an Electrical Installation Certificate, or confirmation that the relevant observations have been addressed. Ask what documentation will be issued before work starts.
What makes a report useful, rather than just compliant
A report should give you a clear route from problem to solution. Look for specific location references, readable circuit descriptions and photographs where they help explain an issue. A quotation for remedial work should match the observations in the report, rather than presenting a broad recommendation for a consumer unit replacement with no supporting explanation.
There are situations where a full upgrade is sensible. A consumer unit with outdated protective devices, signs of overheating, poor circuit arrangement or insufficient capacity for planned works may make repair-only options poor value. However, replacement should be based on the condition and needs of the installation, not used as a default answer to every unsatisfactory result.
The same applies to limitations. If a locked plant room, inaccessible loft space or fixed cabinetry prevented parts of the installation from being inspected, the report should say so. Resolving access issues may be necessary before the report gives the certainty a landlord, insurer or facilities manager needs.
Who needs an EICR and when?
Private landlords in England have legal duties to ensure electrical installations are inspected and tested at appropriate intervals, with a report generally required at least every five years or sooner if the report says so. Copies must also be managed in line with the relevant tenancy requirements.
Homeowners are not usually under the same routine reporting duty, but an EICR is sensible when buying an older property, planning major alterations, experiencing repeated tripping, or dealing with wiring of unknown age. It can prevent costly surprises once plasterwork has been opened or a kitchen installation is underway.
Commercial sites need an inspection frequency suited to how the premises are used. An office, workshop, hospitality venue and construction environment carry different risks. The right interval depends on the installation condition, occupancy, maintenance arrangements and the type of activity taking place.
Getting ready for the inspection
Before the appointment, make sure the electrician can access the consumer unit, meter area and as many rooms as possible. Let occupants know that circuits may need to be switched off briefly during testing. For businesses, identify critical equipment, alarm systems, IT equipment and any areas with restricted access so the work can be planned around operations.
Gather previous certificates, details of recent alterations and any known faults. This does not replace inspection, but it helps the electrician understand the history of the installation and avoid unnecessary disruption.
An EICR should leave you with more than a pass or fail. It should show where your electrical installation stands, what requires attention now and what is worth planning for. If a report is unclear, ask the electrician to talk through the observations in plain English – good electrical safety advice should be as straightforward as the remedial work itself.
