EICR Remedial Work: Do Landlords Need a New EICR After Repairs?
Updated: 27 September 2026. If an EICR is unsatisfactory because it contains C1, C2 or FI observations, the landlord must arrange the required remedial or investigative work within the legal timeframe. But one common question comes next: does every repair require a brand-new EICR?
Not necessarily. Current government guidance says the landlord must obtain appropriate written confirmation that the remedial work has been completed. That confirmation can take different forms depending on the work, including a satisfactory EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC), or other appropriate electrical certification.
EICR remedial work: what landlords need to do
- Identify every C1, C2 and FI observation.
- Complete required work within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period.
- Use a suitably qualified person for the remedial or investigative work.
- Obtain written confirmation showing that the relevant work has been completed.
- Give the tenant and local authority the required documentation within 28 days of completion.
- Keep the original unsatisfactory EICR together with the remedial certificates.
Do landlords always need a new EICR after remedial work?
No. A full new EICR is not automatically required after every remedial repair. The key requirement is appropriate electrical certification confirming that the identified safety issues have been addressed.
Government guidance lists several acceptable forms of confirmation, including:
- a satisfactory EICR
- an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
- a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC)
- other appropriate electrical certification
The correct document depends on the type and extent of the remedial work. A qualified electrical professional should determine which certificate is appropriate.
When might a new EICR be appropriate?
A new EICR may be appropriate where the remedial work is extensive, where the original report cannot be satisfactorily closed out through individual certificates, or where the landlord wants a single updated report showing that the installation is now satisfactory.
For smaller remedial works, an EIC or MEIWC may be the more appropriate evidence. The electrician completing the work should advise which certification applies.
What is the 28-day deadline?
If the EICR identifies required remedial work or further investigation, the landlord must generally complete that work within 28 days, or within a shorter period where the report specifies one.
Government guidance also says the landlord must provide the relevant report and written confirmation of the completed work to the tenant and local authority within 28 days of completion.
See the current GOV.UK electrical safety standards guidance.
What if the remedial work cannot be completed within 28 days?
Government guidance recognises that legitimate practical constraints can sometimes make the 28-day deadline difficult to meet. Examples can include specialist work, dependence on third parties such as the electricity supplier, or tenant-specific circumstances requiring additional planning.
The guidance states that a landlord is not in breach if they can show they took all reasonable steps to comply. This makes record keeping important.
- keep electrician quotations and booking confirmations
- record communications with the tenant
- keep evidence of supplier or third-party delays
- record any reasonable adjustments or access arrangements
- complete the work as soon as the constraint is resolved
What is the difference between EIC, MEIWC and EICR?
| Document | Typical purpose |
|---|---|
| EICR | Reports on the condition of an existing electrical installation after inspection and testing. |
| EIC | Certifies certain new installation work or significant alterations/additions. |
| MEIWC | Used for smaller electrical installation work that does not involve a new circuit. |
The electrician should provide the certification appropriate to the remedial work carried out.
Should the original unsatisfactory EICR be kept?
Yes. Do not discard the original report simply because remedial work has been completed. The best compliance record is normally the original unsatisfactory EICR together with the certificates or written confirmation showing how the identified issues were resolved.
This creates a clear audit trail showing:
- what defects were found
- which classification codes were assigned
- when the remedial work was completed
- who carried out the work
- what certification was issued
What happens with C3 observations?
C3 means improvement recommended. Government guidance says a C3 does not by itself require remedial work for the report to be deemed satisfactory.
Landlords can still choose to complete C3 improvements as part of planned maintenance or refurbishment, but they should distinguish them from C1, C2 and FI observations that require action.
For a full explanation of the codes, read EICR Codes Explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI.
What if the electrician only fixes some of the defects?
The landlord should not treat the EICR as fully resolved until all required C1, C2 and FI issues have been properly addressed or investigated.
If work is completed in stages, keep the certification for each stage and maintain a clear list of any remaining actions. The compliance record should only be treated as closed when all required defects have been resolved and evidenced.
Does remedial work reset the five-year EICR clock?
Not automatically. The next periodic inspection date is normally governed by the inspection report and the applicable electrical-safety regulations, unless a new satisfactory EICR is issued that sets a new next-inspection date.
An EIC or MEIWC confirming individual remedial works should not automatically be treated as replacing the periodic inspection timetable for the whole installation.
Electrical remedial services in London
Primelinks Compliance helps landlords, letting agents and property managers coordinate electrical remedial work following EICRs across London.
- See our Electrical Remedials service.
- For a new inspection, see EICR.
- Read the EICR Landlord Guide.
- For EICR codes, see C1, C2, C3 and FI Explained.
- For multiple properties, use Manage Multiple Properties.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new EICR after C2 repairs?
Not necessarily. Appropriate electrical certification confirming the remedial work can be sufficient, depending on the work carried out.
What certificate proves EICR remedial work is complete?
Government guidance says acceptable confirmation can include a satisfactory EICR, EIC, MEIWC or other appropriate electrical certification.
How long does a landlord have to complete EICR repairs?
Required remedial or investigative work must generally be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report specifies a shorter period.
Does a C3 need to be repaired within 28 days?
No. C3 means improvement recommended and does not, by itself, create the same mandatory remedial requirement as C1, C2 or FI.
Need EICR remedial work in London?
Use Get a Quote and provide the property address plus a copy or summary of the EICR, including all C1, C2 and FI observations.
This article provides general information and is not legal or electrical-engineering advice. Electrical work and certification should be handled by suitably qualified professionals.
