An EICR report is the document produced after inspection and testing of a property’s fixed electrical installation. If you are looking for an EICR report example, an EICR report sample, or want to know what an EICR report looks like, the main thing to understand is that it is a structured inspection and testing report, not just a short pass or fail certificate.

A completed EICR records the condition of the fixed electrics at the time of inspection. It shows what was inspected, what was tested, what issues were found, which classification codes were applied, and whether the overall result is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

Quick Answer: What Does an EICR Report Look Like?

An EICR report is a structured electrical inspection and testing document. It usually includes the property details, inspection scope, limitations, test schedules, observations, classification codes such as C1, C2, C3 and FI, the overall satisfactory or unsatisfactory result, and the recommended next inspection date.
This guide explains what a real EICR report usually includes, what the main sections look like, how the result is shown, and how code examples such as C1, C2, C3, and FI typically appear in practice.


Last Updated: 2026
Reviewed By: London Safety Certificate Compliance Team

Key Takeaways

  • An EICR report records the condition of the fixed electrical installation at the time of inspection.
  • The report usually includes property details, extent and limitations, inspection schedules, test results, observations and the final outcome.
  • EICR reports are normally marked satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
  • C1, C2 and FI observations usually make the report unsatisfactory.
  • C3 means improvement recommended and does not usually make the report unsatisfactory on its own.
  • A report example helps landlords, agents and property owners understand what to check before arranging remedial work.

Report SectionExample Information Shown
Property detailsAddress, property type, client details
Inspection dateDate the inspection and testing were carried out
Inspector detailsName/company of the competent person or contractor
Extent and limitationsAreas inspected, areas not accessed, agreed limitations
Summary resultSatisfactory or unsatisfactory
ObservationsDefects, deterioration, damage or safety concerns
Classification codesC1, C2, C3 or FI
Test resultsCircuit details and recorded test readings
Next inspection dateRecommended date for the next EICR

A typical EICR report is a formal electrical inspection document. It usually starts with the property and inspector details, followed by the scope of the inspection, the condition summary, schedules of inspection, schedules of test results, recorded observations, and the overall outcome.

In simple terms, an EICR report usually includes:

  • property address and report details
  • date of inspection and testing
  • inspector or contractor details
  • extent and limitations of the inspection
  • summary of the installation
  • schedule of inspections
  • schedule of circuit test results
  • observations and classification codes
  • overall result
  • recommended date for the next inspection

So if you are asking what does an EICR report look like, the answer is that it looks like a detailed technical report designed to record the condition of the fixed installation clearly.

Overview of an EICR Report

A proper EICR report is normally divided into several key sections.

This section records the address, date of inspection, and the details of the person carrying out the report.

This explains what was covered and whether any parts of the installation could not be fully inspected or tested. This matters because the report only reflects the areas that were actually assessed.

This gives the high-level outcome of the report and helps show whether the installation has been assessed as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

This records checks carried out on visible and accessible parts of the electrical installation.

This records the electrical test readings for circuits and protective arrangements.

This is one of the most important parts of the report. It lists defects, deterioration, and safety concerns identified during inspection and testing.

Each recorded issue is usually assigned a code to show how serious it is. If you want to understand how the report is produced, read our guide to the EICR test procedure.

Breaking Down the Sections of an EICR Report

Observation ExampleCodeWhat It MeansReport Outcome
Exposed live part accessible to touchC1Danger presentUnsatisfactory
Potential shock risk due to missing protectionC2Potentially dangerousUnsatisfactory
Improvement recommended to meet current standardsC3Advisory improvementCan still be satisfactory
Further investigation needed before safety can be confirmedFIMore investigation requiredUnsatisfactory

If you review a completed electrical installation condition report example, the report usually follows the same basic structure.

First, it identifies the property and the installation. Then it records the scope of the inspection and any agreed limitations. After that, it sets out the inspection results, test results, and observations. Finally, it shows the overall outcome and the recommended next inspection date.

That means a real EICR report sample is not simply there to say whether something has passed. It is there to show how the result was reached and what evidence sits behind it. If you want to understand the document itself before reviewing a sample, start with what is an EICR certificate.

How to Read and Understand Your EICR Report

For landlords in England, the EICR report is not just paperwork. Private and social rented sector guidance says electrical installations must be inspected and tested at least every five years by a properly qualified person, and where remedial or further investigative work is required, it must usually be completed within 28 days or within the shorter period stated in the report.

That means landlords should keep:

  • the EICR report
  • written confirmation of remedial work
  • any further investigation evidence
  • the next inspection date
  • copies supplied to tenants or relevant parties where required

Many people use the phrase EICR certificate when they are actually referring to the EICR report itself.

In practice, what they want to see is the same thing: a completed document showing the condition of the fixed electrical installation, the recorded observations, and the final result. So if you are asking what does an EICR certificate look like, the answer is that it usually looks like a structured report with technical schedules, codes, and an outcome, rather than a simple one-page certificate.

Actions to Take After Reviewing an EICR Report

One part of the report that often gets attention is the summary of the condition of the installation.

This section usually tells you the overall outcome of the inspection. In practical terms, it answers the question: based on the inspection and testing carried out, has the installation been assessed as satisfactory or unsatisfactory?

A satisfactory outcome means the report did not identify issues serious enough to make the installation unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory outcome means the report contains observations that require remedial work or further investigation before the installation can be treated as satisfactory.


One of the biggest opportunities on this page is the code example cluster. Many users do not just want a report layout. They want to understand what the codes inside the report actually look like.

The most common EICR observation codes are:

  • C1 – danger present
  • C2 – potentially dangerous
  • C3 – improvement recommended
  • FI – further investigation required

These codes are a major part of how an EICR report is read. They help show not only what issue was found, but how urgent the problem is. For a more detailed breakdown of the classification system, read EICR codes explained.


A C1 entry means the inspector has identified danger present and immediate action is required.

In a completed report, a C1 observation is usually written as a recorded defect together with the relevant location or circuit reference. A C1 code tells the reader that the situation is immediately unsafe and cannot simply be left for later attention.

A C1 example is not just a technical note. It is a sign that the installation presents a direct safety concern at the time of inspection.


A C2 entry means the inspector has identified a potentially dangerous condition and urgent remedial work is required.

This is one of the strongest query clusters in your data, so it needs proper coverage here. A C2 example in an EICR report usually appears as a recorded defect that is serious enough to make the overall report unsatisfactory, even if it is not classed as immediate danger.

The exact coding depends on the installation and the surrounding circumstances, but a C2 entry typically reflects a condition that should not be ignored and should be corrected promptly.


A C3 entry means improvement is recommended.

This does not usually make the overall report unsatisfactory on its own, but it still records that part of the installation could be improved. In a real EICR report, a C3 example will usually appear as an advisory item rather than an urgent defect.

That is an important distinction. Many people assume every code means the same thing, but a properly read EICR shows the difference between a dangerous issue, a potentially dangerous issue, further investigation, and a recommended improvement.


An FI entry means further investigation required.

This is used where the inspector has identified something that cannot be fully resolved from the inspection and testing completed at that time. In practice, this means the report is signalling that more work is needed before the condition of that part of the installation can be properly confirmed.


The codes are not just labels. They directly affect whether the report is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

In general terms:

  • C1 will make the report unsatisfactory
  • C2 will make the report unsatisfactory
  • FI will make the report unsatisfactory until resolved
  • C3 does not normally make the report unsatisfactory on its own

This is why an EICR report example is useful. It shows that the overall result is based on the seriousness of the recorded observations, not just on whether the property looks acceptable at first glance.


A satisfactory EICR report usually shows that the installation has been inspected and tested without any observations serious enough to make the result unsatisfactory.

That does not mean the installation is brand new or perfect. It means the report did not record a C1, C2, or FI issue that would prevent a satisfactory outcome.

A satisfactory report will still contain the same main sections, including the inspection schedules, the test results, and the next recommended inspection date.


An unsatisfactory report usually contains one or more observations that need action before the installation can be treated as satisfactory.

In practice, this often means the report contains:

  • a C1 observation
  • a C2 observation
  • an FI observation
  • multiple recorded defects affecting safety or condition

Once that happens, the report should not just be filed away. The observations need to be reviewed properly, and the next step is usually remedial work, further investigation, or both. For landlords, the next steps are explained in our guide on what to do with an unsatisfactory EICR report.

Received an Unsatisfactory EICR Report?
If your report includes C1, C2 or FI observations, London Safety Certificate can help arrange the next inspection step, remedial advice and follow-up support across London.


If you are looking at an EICR report for the first time, read it in this order:

Start with the final result. Is the installation satisfactory or unsatisfactory?

This tells you what issues were recorded and where they were found.

The codes tell you how serious each recorded issue is.

This helps you understand whether any areas were excluded or not fully tested.

This shows when the installation should next be inspected again. That is the quickest professional way to understand a completed report without getting lost in the technical detail too early.


What happens next depends on the overall result.

If the report is satisfactory, it should be kept with the property records and the recommended next inspection date should be noted.

If the report is unsatisfactory, the recorded defects should be reviewed properly and the necessary remedial works or further investigation should be arranged. Once the follow-up work has been completed, the relevant records should also be kept.

An EICR report only becomes useful when it is understood and acted on properly.


An EICR report example shows what a completed Electrical Installation Condition Report looks like after inspection and testing of a property’s fixed electrical installation. It usually includes report details, extent and limitations, the summary of the condition of the installation, schedules of inspection, schedules of test results, recorded observations, classification codes, the overall result, and the recommended date for the next inspection.

If you are asking what an EICR report looks like, what an EICR certificate looks like, or want to see C1, C2, C3, and FI code examples inside a report, the key point is the same: the document is designed to record the condition of the fixed electrics clearly and show whether any further action is needed.

If you need an EICR in London, London Safety Certificate can help arrange professional inspection and reporting for landlords, homeowners, agents, and businesses.

What does an EICR report look like?

An EICR report usually includes property details, report information, the scope of inspection, test results, observations, classification codes, the final result, and the recommended date for the next inspection.

What is an EICR report example?

An EICR report example is a sample or explanation showing how a completed Electrical Installation Condition Report is structured and what information it contains.

What does an EICR certificate look like?

In practice, it usually looks like a structured inspection and testing report rather than a short certificate, with sections covering results, observations, and the overall outcome.

What do the codes on an EICR report mean?

The codes show the seriousness of the issues recorded during the inspection. Common examples include C1, C2, C3, and FI.

What are C1, C2, and C3 examples in an EICR report?

They are examples of how recorded issues are classified in the report according to seriousness. The exact code depends on the condition found and the circumstances of the installation.

What does a satisfactory EICR report mean?

It means the inspection and testing did not identify any observations serious enough to make the installation unsatisfactory.

What does an unsatisfactory EICR report mean?

It means the report has identified issues that need remedial work or further investigation before the installation can be treated as satisfactory.

What should I do after receiving an EICR report?

Check the overall result first, review the observations and codes, and if the report is unsatisfactory, arrange the necessary follow-up work and keep the records.

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