landlord electrical safety certificate?

MoneySavingMission

Hi
Can someone please shed some light on this please?
i've had a sitting tenant for 5 years so prior to new rules. For a new tenant, what is it i need and how do i go about this / costs etc?

Obviously gas is checked as per annual checks / safety certificates.

G_M

You don't need anything for the new tenancy that you did not need for the old one.

The electrical installations must be safe.

Brb

There is no legal obligation for a LL to have an electrical safety certificate but you do have to show that you know the electrics are safe. If something was to happen to the T or visitor to the property how would you prove the electrics were ok ? by a certificate of course. It's approx £100 so probably worth doing at least every 5 years anyway and have an ideal opportunity by getting it done inbetween tenants. Shouldn't take too long (unless electrician finds problems). Make sure any electrician is part-p qualified.

If you provide electrical goods you need to get those PAT tested annually.

Marvel1

The depoist by the tenant must be protected:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Tenancies/DG_189120

G_M

cjdavies wrote: »

The depoist by the tenant must be protected:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Tenancies/DG_189120

Strange response!

My own assumption was that the OP wanted to know about electrical safety requirements.

If, however, it was a wider question ("what is it i need ") about everything needed, then the deposit is just the tip of a huge iceburg!

Mrs_Arcanum

PAT testing should only be done for any appliances you provide (oven, storage heaters etc) some places do this annually others only every 2 or 3 years. A general check by the same electrician would be worth asking for just to be on the safe side.

andrew09

It's worth checking your insurance requirements too - our landlord policy required a safety check to be done

Marvel1

G_M wrote: »

Strange response!

My own assumption was that the OP wanted to know about electrical safety requirements.

If, however, it was a wider question ("what is it i need ") about everything needed, then the deposit is just the tip of a huge iceburg!

I was answering his question of what he needs to do in regards to new laws, as the laws have changed since the last tenant who stayed before 2007. I know there is probably more but on the top my head that is the only I know.

MoneySavingMission wrote: »

Hi
Can someone please shed some light on this please?
i've had a sitting tenant for 5 years so prior to new rules. For a new tenant, what is it i need and how do i go about this / costs etc?

Obviously gas is checked as per annual checks / safety certificates.

G_M

cjdavies wrote: »

I was answering his question of what he needs to do in regards to new laws, as the laws have changed since the last tenant who stayed before 2007. I know there is probably more but on the top my head that is the only I know.

Fair enough! Then there's the Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants etc) Act 2010 as well as various changes to Building Regs, HMOs (though doesn't sound like an HMO), updated Fire regs etc...

and that's just statute and regulation. Then there's case law that moves on every year....

jaqi4

Brb wrote: »

There is no legal obligation for a LL to have an electrical safety certificate but you do have to show that you know the electrics are safe. If something was to happen to the T or visitor to the property how would you prove the electrics were ok ? by a certificate of course. It's approx £100 so probably worth doing at least every 5 years anyway and have an ideal opportunity by getting it done inbetween tenants. Shouldn't take too long (unless electrician finds problems). Make sure any electrician is part-p qualified.

If you provide electrical goods you need to get those PAT tested annually.

I just wish I knew what is tested in respect of the £100-£200 fee charged by the electrician! I have been told "circuits, amongst other things"

James_N

MoneySavingMission wrote: »

Hi
Can someone please shed some light on this please?
i've had a sitting tenant for 5 years so prior to new rules. For a new tenant, what is it i need and how do i go about this / costs etc?

Obviously gas is checked as per annual checks / safety certificates.

Although there is not yet a statutory requirement, it would be wise and safe to do the following:
1. Have an inspection carried out and act on the advice by having an electrician do the work necessary and certify the installation. You need this done periodically. Cost - cannot tell - you may need a new main board for instance.
2. Have all portable equipment PAT tested. Annually. Cost - maybe £50.
3. Have a stipulation that a tenant is responsible for the electrical equipment THEY put in the house, and that such equipment should meet safety requirements.

The bottom line is this: if something goes wrong YOU need to be able to prove you did everything reasonable to anticipate and avoid it, such as having the installation checked by someone qualified.