EICR Remedial Work: The 28-Day Deadline Landlords Cannot Miss

The moment an EICR comes back with a C1, C2, or FI observation code, a statutory clock starts running. Under SI 2020/312, landlords in England have 28 days from the inspection date to complete all required remedial work — and the inspector can set a shorter deadline if the risk warrants it.

When Does the 28-Day Clock Start?

Day one is the day after the inspection date printed on the report. Not the day you received the report, not the day you read it, not the day you found a contractor. The clock is already running before most landlords have even opened the envelope.

What Counts as "Completed"?

Completion means three things happening in sequence: the qualified electrician carries out the physical repair, they issue a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) or Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), and they provide written confirmation that the electrical safety standards have been met. All three must happen within the 28-day window.

You do not need a fresh full EICR to close out the remedial work — the original unsatisfactory report paired with the completion certificate and written confirmation is enough, unless the inspector specified a re-test.

What If the Inspector Set a Shorter Deadline?

Inspectors can and do specify shorter remedial periods. A report might say "within 7 days" for a C1 observation or "within 14 days" for a particular C2 defect. Those shorter deadlines override the 28-day default and carry the same penalty consequences if missed.

What If 28 Days Is Not Enough?

There is no formal extension process: the deadline remains 28 days, or shorter if the report specifies. But if legitimate practical constraints prevent completion — such as specialist work, a third-party dependency, or tenant-specific adjustments — a landlord is not in breach if they can show they took all reasonable steps. Keep clear records of all communications and arrangements.

Book a contractor the day you receive an unsatisfactory report. With the 2026 renewal wave pushing demand up, lead times in some areas can be two to three weeks for non-emergency work.

What Happens After the Remedial Work?

Within 28 days of the work being completed, send copies of the written confirmation and completion certificate to every tenant in the property and to the local housing authority. This is a separate 28-day deadline — it runs from the date the repair work was finished, not from the original inspection.

The Penalty for Missing It

Up to £40,000 per breach. The council can serve a remedial notice giving 28 days to comply; if you do not comply with it, the authority can carry out the work and recover its costs. Multiple breaches — such as missing both the remedial deadline and the report distribution deadline — can be penalised separately.

The Electrical Safety (EICR) Compliance Guide includes a remedial tracker with auto-calculated deadlines and a distribution checklist to make sure every document reaches every required recipient on time.

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