EICR Guidance

Electrical Advice for Residents (EICR’s)

You cannot see electricity. Cables are usually hidden inside our walls, and consumer units are often hidden in cupboards, so it is not surprising that we can forget to check the condition of our electrical installation for damage or wear and tear.

Faulty and old wiring is one of the main causes or electrical fires in the home. We can reduce the risk of a fire by checking the condition of your cables, switches, sockets and other accessories regularly. These checks are called an EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report they are carry out on a cyclical program within every five years. This inspection must be carried out by one of our qualified electricians or electrical contractors. Think of it as an M.O.T for all the electrical wiring and switches in your home.

The five main aims of an EICR are:

  1. Record the results of the inspection and testing to make sure the electrical installation is safe to be used until the next inspection (following any work needed to make it safe)
  2. Find any damage and wear and tear that might affect safety and report it.
  3. Find any parts of the electrical installation that do not meet the IET Wiring Regulations.
  4. Help find anything that may cause electric shocks and high temperatures.
  5. Provide and important record of the installation at the time of the inspection, and for inspection testing in the future.

Access to your EICR is then provided via our portal within 28 days of completion should you wish to read or download a copy.

What will the EICR say ?

An EICR is a very technical, detailed and wordy document. It will show:

  • Premises and tester details: Address, date and who carried out the inspection.
  • Extent and limitations: Circuits/areas tested and anything not accessible or isolated. (It does not cover portable appliances such as kettles or televisions)
  • Overall outcome: Satisfactory or unsatisfactory, with the next recommended test interval.
  • Observations with codes: C1, C2, C3 or FI, with locations and notes (often with regulation references).
  • Test schedules: Circuit lists, measurements and instrumented results.
  • Recommended actions: What remedials or further investigation are required and priority.

What if I get an UNSATISFACTORY result?

Don’t worry if the report states unsatisfactory, there will be a number of remedial works required and although normally we carry these out at the same time as the EICR we may have been unable to. We will keep you informed of when and what the follow-up works will be.

I have a C1 remedial on my report – what do I do?

A C1 report means that an immediate repair is required. We will do this work during the course of the EICR. In the unlikely event we are unable to do the works, then we may need to isolate the electrics for a short period of time or make safe but in this case, we will explain everything to you on the day.

I have a C2 remedial on my report – what does this mean?

In this case there is an issue that although not immediately dangerous, under a certain sequence of events it can become so. The EICR will show as being unsatisfactory. We will aim to do the works during our visit. In the unlikely event we cannot, then we will make it safe and explain the next steps aiming to complete works within 28 days. In the event of numerous C2 observations it is sometimes better to have the property rewired to the most current specification and regulations. This will be discussed with you within the 28-day period.

I have a C3 remedial on my report – what does this mean?

These observations are NOT affecting the safety or the continued use of the electrical installation. They are departures to current regulations but were acceptable at the time of installation and your report will show as SATISFACTORY. Wiring regulations are commonly amended every two to three years and it is common to see some C3 codes on an EICR as they evolve. Some of these may be rectified on future investment works.

I have a FI remedial on my report – what does this mean?

An FI code in an EICR signifies that an electrical issue has been identified which requires further investigation to determine if it poses a risk. This code does not immediately indicate a risk but suggests that additional information or testing is needed to clarify the safety of the installation. This will be discussed with you and completed within 28 days. 

I have an R or X remedial on my report – what does this mean?

These are observations that fall outside of the wiring regulations or outside of our scope of works but we have a duty of care to log them. Some of these may be rectified on future investment works or need the attendance of the supply authority such as Scottish Power as we cannot repair their equipment.

It is important to remember that it is a legal requirement to complete these works and you are legally required to provide us access to do an EICR and any subsequent works. Failure to do so can be deemed a breach of your tenancy and we will take legal action to carry out these checks and works if necessary.