The regulations moved on
Inspectors assess against the current edition of BS 7671. Requirements such as RCD protection for socket outlets and non-combustible consumer units have tightened over time. A missing RCD that an older report recorded as a C3 recommendation can reasonably be a C2 today, because the inspector judges the risk against current knowledge and use.
The installation aged
Insulation degrades, connections loosen with heat cycles, and accessories wear out. Five years of tenants plugging in heaters and extension leads leaves marks. Insulation resistance readings that were borderline last time can drop below acceptable values.
Someone changed something
A tenant fitted an outside light, a previous landlord added a socket in the bathroom, a kitchen refit moved circuits. Undocumented alterations are a frequent source of C2 and FI findings.
The last report was light
Not every report is thorough. A previous inspection with heavy limitations, no schedule of test results or very few observations may simply have missed things. If the last report was unusually cheap or quick, that is worth bearing in mind.
What to do now
- Read each observation and its code, not just the overall result
- Get a fixed quote for the C1, C2 and FI items
- Book the work to finish inside 28 days
Our guide to EICR codes explains each classification with examples.