Renting an "unsafe" property

DesertIsland

Hi all,

Being a newbie, I'm not entirely sure if this is the correct place for this thread. If it isn't I apologise, feel free to remove it.

I've been living in my current flat for the last two years. 6 weeks ago I started having circuit breaker trip-outs. Long story short an electrician came out, investigated the circuits and found out that:

1) The lights are not earthed, making them dangerous (his words)
2) The wiring has been amateurish and ignored basic health and safety guidelines, for example, four different wires going into the same fuse and a few other examples.

We're in the process now of starting repairs, with me having been left with no lights in the property (apart from floor lamps, etc) for 6 weeks now. The landlord has agreed to the repairs which apparently require rewiring of the lighting system and other works, to the cost of £1,500.

I'm writing this because I am incredibly miffed at the landlord for not having checked the state of the electrics when having bought the property which resulted in me staying for 2 years in a potentially dangerous flat. Not to mention, this violates our contract.

Has anyone else ever been in this position? Is any action possible and would you take it?

Hump

Sadly the landlord's only responsibility is to make sure the electrics are safe. There's no requirement for the landlord to have the electrics safety checked or to have safety certificates in place (though it's good practice) - as they would for gas appliances. Thankfully it appears your landlord is responsible and having the repairs done - 6 weeks to get a good electrician in doesn't sound too bad.
see http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/home_safety/electrical_safety/electrical_safety_responsibilities#2

00ec25

DesertIsland wrote: »

I'm writing this because I am incredibly miffed at the landlord for not having checked the state of the electrics when having bought the property ?

as stated there is no legal requirement for them to do so

DesertIsland wrote: »

which resulted in me staying for 2 years in a potentially dangerous flat. ?

POTENTIALLY dangerous - so is crossing the road potentially dangerous, you're still alive though

DesertIsland wrote: »

Not to mention, this violates our contract.?

no it does not

DesertIsland wrote: »

Is any action possible and would you take it?

No and NO - you have suffered no loss whatsoever and therefore have no case for claiming damages

G_M

00ec25 wrote: »

as stated there is no legal requirement for them to do so

POTENTIALLY dangerous - so is crossing the road potentially dangerous, you're still alive though

no it does not

No and NO - you have suffered no loss whatsoever and therefore have no case for claiming damages

Absolutely correct.

Now, if the landlord was refusing to spend the £1500 and do the required work, we would all be lining up to condemn him and advise you on what to do, but it seems he is taking the required action.

Be glad you have a decent landlord.

System

The lights not being earthed is not a fault as that is a recent(ish) requirement of the regs. It may be considered dangerous now but if the rewire had not gone ahead it would still have been legal.