Updated 26 October 2026 · 2 min read · By Elec Comply Ltd, NICEIC Approved Contractor No. 616773000
In short
- Deal with any C1 straight away.
- Complete the work for C1, C2 and FI items within 28 days of the inspection, or sooner if the report says so.
- Get written confirmation of the work from a qualified person.
- Send it, with the original report, to your tenants and the council within 28 days of finishing.
Step by step
- Read the observations. List each C1, C2 and FI item and where it is. Our EICR codes guide explains each code.
- Make any C1 safe immediately. The inspector should have isolated it before leaving; arrange the repair as soon as you can.
- Get a quote for the coded items only. You only need to fix what the report requires. C3 recommendations are optional.
- Have the work done within the deadline. That is 28 days from the date of the inspection, or the shorter period the report gives.
- Get written confirmation. The electrician issues a certificate for the work, confirming the standards are now met or that more work is needed.
- Send the paperwork. Give your tenants and the council the confirmation and the original report within 28 days of the work being completed.
Avoiding unnecessary work
Ask for an itemised quote that maps each line to an observation on the report. Be cautious of quotes that bundle in upgrades the report does not require, or that recommend a full rewire without explaining which observations it addresses.
You can use a different contractor for the remedial work from the one who did the inspection. Whoever does it must be competent, and their certificate is your written confirmation.
If your tenant will not give access
Keep a dated record of every attempt to arrange the work. The regulations say a landlord is not in breach if they took all reasonable steps, and that not taking legal action is not, on its own, a failure to take reasonable steps.
How we help
Send us the report and we will quote for the coded items. Where practical, minor remedial works can be done on the same visit, subject to your approval, the materials needed and the time available, and they are quoted and charged separately. See electrical remedial works.
Common Questions
Do I need a new EICR after the repairs?
Not usually. The original report and the certificate for the remedial work together show compliance.
Can a different electrician do the repairs?
Yes. Any qualified person can carry out the remedial work and issue the written confirmation.
What if the deadline is shorter than 28 days?
If the report gives a shorter period, that shorter period applies.
Sources
- Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, regulation 3 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance (GOV.UK)
This guide covers England and is general information, not legal advice. Links open in a new tab.