Electrical safety check in rented property.

sharpee

To answer to Ops question

When I last had the electrics checked on my rental property they looked at

• Fuse Board
• Check all electrical sockets were working
• Checked for correct earth bonding etc

It wasn't intrusive, and I only hade to move a couple of bits of furniture, to get to some of the sockets.

I would agree it probably isn't the LA but the LL wanting these checks. And I would be more than happy as a tenant for them to be carried out. It shows your LL is ensuring his Duty of Care to his tenenats is being met and that they actually take an interest in the condition of the property.

AdmiralX

franklee wrote: »

Hi,

The letting agent just said they want to do an electrical safety check of the house I'm renting. I'm a bit surprised as the property is under ten years old and there have been no problems. Apparently my landlord wants it done but I suspect it's more the agent. Is it necessary?

Some Agents do have a policy of regular inspection, it might be in their code of practice. They will pay. It is good for your safety, though you might think it is inconvenient. Try and be present when the inspection takes place. The regs change and some problems in electrics might arise.

rentergirl

The first instance in ages of an agent doing the right thing. Always say yes to reasonably forewarned inspections like this: people have died in rented properties. They check all the sockets, fittings and any white goods. If kettles toasters etc were provided, they will be checked as well.

hannahh_3

I think you'll need to ask your agent what kind of inspection this is.

There are two kinds - one is the full periodical, which basically checks EVERYTHING (which I think is what ECS is referring to above). There is also a less thorough one, which is basically a visual check of your sockets, fuse board etc and PAT testing of individual appliances. At least this is the service our letting agent offers us (I'm a LL). Both result in a certificate which itemises any defects - as you would expect, the full periodical is far more detailed.

We have the visual check annually and the full periodical every five years.

As others have said, landlords are not compelled to have electrical safety certificates, so if yours is keen to make sure the electrics are safe for you to use, I would not be complaining!

zappahey

ECS_Electrical wrote: »

Lots of dull spam

You know, for a spammer you're not very good. You should at least give us a clue how to find you.

BTW, do you even know what forensic means?

fluffpot

OP - if you are at all worried, why not ask your LL to get the electrician to call you so you can discuss what needs to be moved?
I do lots of these EICRs (as they are now called). It does involve getting to all sockets (unless absolutely impossible) and unplugging white goods, plus getting to all light fittings. The power will be mostly off during the testing.

lucylooby123

I wish my LL would do one! We have a disco in our kitchen whenever we put the lights on, which results in the trip switch being blown and the heating system having to be re set, have no smoke alarms (three children!) most of the sockets blow blue sparks at you when you use them... and this is a housing association, on a house that was re wired last year.