Lights tripping out and one plug socket too? Please help!

keystone

my_gorgeous_ellie-belle wrote: »

OK i am not trying to DIY this - simply changing the fuse wire - as you would in the other style where you'd need to put a new fuse in.

Well excuse me if I appear rude but you are. Just keep changing the fuse wire is treating the symptom not the cause. If you, by mistake, use the wrong fuse wire eg 20A instead of 5A you'll be looking for the fire extinguisher with whic to put out your fire.

I am simply asking for some insight into what is happening so i can understand it better

Sorry but thats exactly my point. Nobody on here knows EXACTLY what is happening. You need an electrician to test the circuits to be able to diagnose to be able to fix.

I f i get on the phone and tell the agents they'll do nothing util after xmas - this i can almost garuantee.

OK understand and also about you contracted payments. Don't worry about the nuts and bolts. Just tell them as far as you are concerned its a dangerous situation - you do not have to say any more than that. They MUST address it - its a legal requirement and I think it has to be within 24 hours. Follow up your telephone call with a letter (prefereably) or an email so you have some sort of paper trail.

Trust me i have had dealing with the gas boiler packing in .................

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............ This has happened 3 times so we'll have no fridge for xmas. And now this.

Absolutely appalling.

I hope you can see why i am frustrated and trying to get some of my own info - i am not stupid and wouldn't dare try to repair anything electrical myself. Just trying to get some understanding so i can pass it on to OH who will call them as he seems to get listened to much more than i do from the agents.

Right - time to get tough IMHO. When you call the agent you need to make perfectly sure that he understands that you know with 100% certainty that:

Landlords are obligated to ensure that all electrical appliances and fittings within the property are safe and in good working order. Failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence and may result in:

• Property insurance being invalidated
• A fine of £5,000 for the lanlord per item not complying
• Six month’s imprisonment for the landlord
• You (as the Tenant) may sue the landlord for civil damages

and that you have had enough and are proceeding to ensure this is dealt with officially. See where that gets you. Should be fairly fast knock on the door by man with toolbag in hand I would have thought.

Keep in touch.

Cheers

paddypaws101

ellie-belle....Sometimes some of the posters on here can be a bit preachy/sarcastic/unrealistic/holier than thou.....BUT not in this case! It really is a serious issue and needs professional help. I had a similar experience this time last year when a trip switch kept blowing...so I kept turning it back...but did call an electrician in asap. He discovered I had 2 serious faults, either of which could have caused a fire at any time ( and I have pretty modern wiring! )

Moving forward...I am very surprised that a letting agent has allowed this property to be let in that state. I don't think an electrical check is statutory yet as a gas check is, but any decent agent that I let through likes to see electrical safety checks have been made.

I feel for you love! Hope it all gets sorted and you get to enjoy a Merry Xmas!

ps could maybe look on freecycle to get a spare fridge freezer to tide you over??

keystone

paddypaws101 wrote: »

I don't think an electrical check is statutory yet as a gas check is, but any decent agent that I let through likes to see electrical safety checks have been made.

Paddy

You are absolutely correct for England and Wales about electrical certificates which, of course, require the necessary checks. It is statutory (I believe) north of Hadrians Wall where the regs are slightly different.

However, the landlord in England still has a legal obligation to comply with the legislation I mentioned in my earlier post.

Cheers

Plasticman

Could the socked be wired to the lighting circuit? Possibly. The house may have had round pin sockets (5 amp) wired into the lighting circuit (not unusual in an old installation) and somebody may have replaced it with a standard socket (13 amp). You may find others in the house aren't working also.

If it is only one socket with a lamp then it is unlikely to be causing the fuse to blow. You need your landlord to get the professionals in ASAP!

Homersimpson

Jonesya wrote: »

STOP REPLACING ME! . GET AN ELECTRICIAN IN TO FIND AND FIX THE FAULT.

:T

I work in the electrical industry as a designer, Jonesya is clearly a person who knows what their on about, please please take heed of this warning. Keep replacing the fuse wire or (heaven forbid) putting in a larger fuse wire is a recipe for disaster.