Electrical check prior to renting out property

Cezzabelle

Hi all
I need to get my electrics checked prior to renting out my flat. (a periodic inspection?) There is no gas to the property so I presume I need a check on the electrical products- shower, oven, freestanding electric heater (has a fake flame, blows out hot air) freestanding radiator plus the electrics within the flat- lights, sockets, ceiling heating etc.

The fuse box also needs checking and probably changing as two of the fuses use wire rather than "fuses" (if that makes sense!)

I've been quoted £180, just to check the property, I don’t think this covers any repairs. Its seems a lot but as I'm a first time landlord I thought I'd ask your opinions?

Property is in Newcastle upon Tyne, if anyone has any recommendations as to companies to use to do the check.

thanks!

GoToGal

I paid £100 for my periodic check in Bolton, Lancs

princeofpounds

You don't need to do a check legally, assuming this is a normal rental. It's not like gas.

However, you do have a duty of care so if tenants suffer damage as a result of faulty wiring, you will be liable. So it's a good idea to get it done once before renting I think, and then you can wait a few years to do it again. For instance, if you already have worries about the fusebox that's an area of concern.

180 sounds expensive to me, esp in the NE. I'd consider paying that in London maybe.

sharpee

Even though it is not mandatory I had my electrics checked in my house before I rented it out for piece of mind.

I seem to remember that I was quoted £120 (in the South East) and even after weeks of chasing the company for the report and recommendations I never received an invoice for the check, despite requesting for it several times!

clutton_2

sounds like a fuse box containing wires rather than fuses may need replacing... these can range from £90-£200 depending on the number of outlets... and quality of box....

i paid £120 for a periodic report in the north west - but if the installation is in fair nick the electrician will say "valid for 5 or 10 years - so its not a huge cost for that length of time

but... on top of inspection you may need earthing and other repairs done... that is the unknown factor

mchale

clutton wrote: »

i paid £120 for a periodic report in the north west - but if the installation is in fair nick the electrician will say "valid for 5 or 10 years - so its not a huge cost for that length of time

I've had the same said to me, but upon a change of tenacy the report is actually invalid

Owain_Moneysaver

mchale wrote: »

I've had the same said to me, but upon a change of tenacy the report is actually invalid

Is it? As there's no actual requirement for a Periodic Inspection, I don't think how a new report could be required between tenancies (which for a holiday / serviced flat let could be every couple of weeks).

I would certainly suggest the landlord have a checklist and carry out a visual inspection between lets to ensure there are no broken accessory faceplates and that tenant's haven't done any quiet bodging (or shorted the meter for growing 'tomatoes' under growlamps).

mchale

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Is it? As there's no actual requirement for a Periodic Inspection, I don't think how a new report could be required between tenancies (which for a holiday / serviced flat let could be every couple of weeks).

I would certainly suggest the landlord have a checklist and carry out a visual inspection between lets to ensure there are no broken accessory faceplates and that tenant's haven't done any quiet bodging (or shorted the meter for growing 'tomatoes' under growlamps).

Yes I know its not a legal requirement, but upon a change of tenancy the existing report becomes invalid, most probably due to the points raised in your final paragraph, I'm sure a spark will come along and confirm this

tbs624

Cezzabelle wrote: »

Hi all
I need to get my electrics checked prior to renting out my flat. (a periodic inspection?) There is no gas to the property so I presume I need a check on the electrical products- shower, oven, freestanding electric heater (has a fake flame, blows out hot air) freestanding radiator plus the electrics within the flat- lights, sockets, ceiling heating etc.

The fuse box also needs checking and probably changing as two of the fuses use wire rather than "fuses" (if that makes sense!)

I've been quoted £180, just to check the property, I don’t think this covers any repairs. Its seems a lot but as I'm a first time landlord I thought I'd ask your opinions?

Property is in Newcastle upon Tyne, if anyone has any recommendations as to companies to use to do the check.

Contact the Nat LL Association (NE) or Newcastle Private LLs Forum - their members should be able to offer local contacts who are reliable.

PrinceofPounds wrote:

You don't need to do a check legally, assuming this is a normal rental. It's not like gas...

Whilst there is no legal requirement for certification (unless property is an HMO or you are going to be accredited by a Uni for student lettings etc) a LL *does* have a legal obligation to ensure that electrical systems and electrical items provided by him/her are in safe order. See here and here for some of the many regs that apply.