Last updated 7 October 2026
Short answer: an EICR tells you whether the fixed wiring in a property is in a fit condition to keep using. The overall result is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. On a report written to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, only a C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) makes it unsatisfactory. C3 and FI are advisory, although an FI should still be investigated promptly, especially in a rented home in Scotland.
EICR stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a record of an inspection and test, not a pass certificate. This guide explains how to read one: the overall result, what each code means in plain English, what “limitations” are, and what to do next.
The parts of an EICR that matter most
An EICR runs to several pages, and most of them are test readings. Four parts tell you what you need to know:
| Part of the report | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Overall assessment | Satisfactory or unsatisfactory. This is the headline result. |
| Extent and limitations | What was inspected, and what was not, such as a locked room, a loft that could not be reached or wiring buried in walls. |
| Observations | Each problem found, with its code: C1, C2, C3 or FI. Scottish landlord guidance refers to this as Section K of the report. |
| Recommended next inspection date | When the installation should be inspected again. For a rented home in Scotland this is no more than five years. |
Behind those sit the schedule of circuits and the test results: insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity, earth fault loop impedance and RCD trip times for every circuit. You do not need to read the numbers, but they are what the codes are based on.
The four codes in plain English
| Code | Plain English | Effect on the result | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1, danger present | Someone using the installation is at risk now, for example exposed live parts | Unsatisfactory | Immediate action. Where practical, the inspector makes it safe before leaving |
| C2, potentially dangerous | Not dangerous this minute, but could become dangerous if a fault happened | Unsatisfactory | Urgent remedial work |
| C3, improvement recommended | Safe, but built to an older standard than today’s | Does not affect the result | Worth considering, not required |
| FI, further investigation advised | A possible safety issue that could not be fully assessed within the agreed extent of the inspection | Advisory under Amendment 4, does not by itself make the report unsatisfactory | Arrange the investigation promptly |
C1: danger present
A C1 means danger now. Typical examples are exposed live parts or a damaged accessory that can be touched. Scottish landlord guidance says the inspector should make the installation safe on discovery if it is practical, and otherwise give the owner or user written notice as a matter of urgency (Annex D3, D.68).
C2: potentially dangerous
A C2 is a problem that would become dangerous in a fault. In rented homes in Aberdeen, the C2 findings we record most often are missing main bonding, socket circuits with no RCD, and damaged or overheated accessories. Urgent remedial work is required.
C3: improvement recommended
A C3 means the installation is safe but would not be built that way today, for example an older type of accessory or a design detail that has since changed. It does not make a report unsatisfactory. If anyone presents a C3 as a failure that must be fixed straight away, ask them to show you which code says so.
FI: further investigation
An FI means the inspector spotted a possible problem but could not fully assess it within what was agreed for the inspection. Under Amendment 4 it is advisory and does not on its own make the report unsatisfactory. That does not mean you can file it away. For private lets, the Scottish Government’s Repairing Standard guidance (Annex D3) says an FI should be investigated as soon as practically possible, because it may reveal a dangerous or potentially dangerous condition (D.71).
Two things people often get wrong
A limitation is not an FI. If a room was locked, the loft could not be reached or wiring is buried in a wall, the report records that as a limitation of the inspection. It is not automatically an FI, and it does not mean something is wrong. It does mean that part was not checked.
Older reports used different wording. Reports written before Amendment 4 used different FI wording. Check which edition of BS 7671 is stated on your report before reading too much into an older one. The current edition, BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, was published on 15 April 2026 and is still the 18th Edition.
Satisfactory does not mean perfect
A satisfactory report can still list C3 items and an FI. It means nothing was found that makes the installation dangerous or potentially dangerous, within the extent of the inspection. Read the limitations as well as the headline: a satisfactory result on a report that could not reach half the house tells you less than it seems.
What to do if your report is unsatisfactory
- Read the observations and find each C1 and C2.
- Get the remedial work quoted in writing, item by item.
- Have the work done by a competent electrician. Repairs are normally recorded on a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, and a replacement consumer unit gets an Electrical Installation Certificate (Annex D3, D.72).
- Keep the original EICR together with the certificates for the repairs. Landlords must keep their copy of the EICR for six years (D.84).
If the report points at the board itself, for example no RCD protection at all, the fix is often a new consumer unit, which we price from £550 + VAT through our consumer unit service in Aberdeen.
What a report means if you rent or let a home in Scotland
For private lets, the Repairing Standard guidance requires an electrical safety inspection before a property is first let and then at least every five years, plus PAT testing of appliances the landlord supplies. Any C1 or C2 must be rectified for the home to meet the Repairing Standard (D.67). A C3 does not have to be fixed to meet the standard, but landlords should consider it where possible (D.70). Tenants must be given a copy of the most recent report before their tenancy starts (D.84). For landlords who want all of that handled, see our landlord electrician service in Aberdeen.
How often you need a new report
- Private rented homes in Scotland: before the first let, then no more than five years apart, or sooner if the report recommends an earlier date.
- Owner occupied homes: every 10 years is the usual recommendation, and before you buy or sell.
- Business premises: the interval depends on the type of premises and its use, and the report states the recommended date.
Frequently asked questions
Is a C3 a fail on an EICR?
No. A C3 means improvement recommended. It is advisory and does not make a report unsatisfactory. Only C1 and C2 do that.
Does an FI mean my EICR has failed?
Not on its own, on a report written to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. An FI is advisory, but it should still be investigated promptly, and in a Scottish rented home as soon as practically possible.
What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?
Get the C1 and C2 items put right by a competent electrician. The repairs are recorded on their own certificate, which you keep with the report. You do not normally need a whole new EICR to show the work was done.
How long is an EICR valid in Scotland?
For a private rented home, no more than five years, or sooner if the report recommends it. For an owner occupied home, every 10 years is the usual recommendation.
Can a normal electrician do an EICR?
Any electrician competent in inspection and testing can. Look for an inspection and testing qualification such as City and Guilds 2391-52 and registration with a scheme that audits the work, such as NICEIC or NAPIT.
What are the new EICR rules for 2026?
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 was published on 15 April 2026 and replaces the previous edition from 15 October 2026. On reports written to it, only C1 and C2 make the result unsatisfactory, and FI is described as further investigation advised.
Need an EICR, or help with one you already have?
We price an EICR from £150 + VAT for the main board and first five circuits, then £15 + VAT for each extra circuit, and £70 + VAT plus £15 + VAT per circuit for an extra board. See our EICR service in Aberdeen or our EICR service across Aberdeenshire, call 07304 027013, or send us a message.
