You booked the inspection, the electrician did their walk-around, and they have just handed you a document stamped with a bold, red "UNSATISFACTORY". If you are a landlord or property manager, your heart likely just sank. What happens now? Do you have to kick your tenants out? Do you need to pay for a completely new test?

First, take a breath. An unsatisfactory Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is incredibly common, especially in properties over 15 years old. It simply means the electrician has identified faults classified as C1 (Danger Present), C2 (Potentially Dangerous), or FI (Further Investigation Required).

The good news is that you do not necessarily need to pay for a full re-test. The bad news is that a legal countdown has just begun, and failing to act quickly will result in catastrophic financial penalties.

⚡ Has your certificate expired completely? Use our EICR Renewal Calculator to check your legal deadlines instantly.

The 28-Day Legal Countdown

Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, the moment you are handed an Unsatisfactory EICR, you are legally on the clock.

The law explicitly states that landlords have a strict maximum of 28 days to have the identified faults investigated and repaired by a qualified person. If the electrician deemed the faults exceptionally severe (such as exposed live wiring), they may stipulate an even shorter timeframe on the report itself.

The Penalty for Missing the Deadline The 28-day window is not a suggestion; it is a hard statutory deadline. If you fail to complete the remedial repairs within 28 days, your local authority has the power to issue an immediate civil penalty of up to £30,000 per breach. Furthermore, you cannot legally allow a new tenant to move into the property until the repairs are signed off.

Do I Need to Pay for a Whole New EICR?

This is the biggest misconception landlords have, and it often leads to rogue electricians double-charging you. You do not need to pay for a completely new EICR.

To prove your property is legally compliant, you simply need to keep your original "Unsatisfactory" EICR, and staple it to the written proof that the specific faults have been fixed. This written proof usually takes the form of a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) or an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), provided by the electrician who does the repairs.

Together, the original failed EICR and the new Minor Works Certificate legally prove that the property now meets BS 7671 safety standards.

Who Can Do the Repairs?

If your EICR failed because a plastic socket faceplate was cracked (a C2 fault), you might be tempted to run to a hardware store, buy a £5 replacement, and fit it yourself to save money.

Do not do this. The regulations strictly state that remedial works must be carried out by a "competent and qualified person." If you fix the socket yourself, you cannot issue the Minor Works Certificate required to prove the property is safe. The local council will reject your DIY repair, and you will still be liable for the £30,000 fine.

Are Your Other Certificates Failing Too? An Unsatisfactory EICR is a warning sign. If your electrics have degraded, it is highly likely that your other statutory compliances are also out of date or failing.

Notifying Your Tenants and the Council

Once the remedial repairs are completed and you have your Minor Works Certificate, your legal duties are not over.

You must provide written confirmation of the repairs (the certificate) to your existing tenants within 28 days of the original inspection. If your local authority requested a copy of your EICR, you must also send them the original failed report alongside the proof of repair within that same 28-day window.

If you are staring at a failed EICR and the 28-day clock is ticking, do not delay.uk/health-and-safety-audits/">Health and Safety Audit to clear all your compliance hurdles in one go.

Your 3-Step Remedial Action Plan

1

Book Urgent Repairs

Do not attempt DIY fixes. Hire an accredited, NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician to immediately rectify all C1, C2, and FI faults listed on your Unsatisfactory report.

2

Obtain Your Minor Works Certificate

Ensure the electrician provides you with an MEIWC or EIC upon completion. Keep this attached to your original failed EICR as absolute legal proof that the hazards have been eliminated.

3

Distribute the Paperwork

You must supply a copy of the repair certification to any existing tenants within 28 days of the original inspection, and to any new tenants before they occupy the premises.

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Guidance only — not legal advice. Requirements depend on the premises and enforcing authority. Arrange a formal on-site assessment where needed.