Best Extension Lead?

Luke_Smith_2

Hi All!

I have a rented property in the UK and I have just renewed the building insurance. The property is rented out to council tenants. Unfortunately, the best value policies exclude coverage for fire damage that is due to the fault of the tenants.

I am fortunate that the tenants are good people that I trust, however, I have been worried by the prospect of a fire in light of insurance companies uncanny ability to wriggle out paying out. This has led me to re-do the electrical test and update the electrical board to circuit breakers.

The property does not have many electrical outlets in the living room which has led to the tenants using extension leads. I have have read that this is potentially a fire hazard if poor quality leads are used or numerous 'multiplier' plugs are used.

This has led me to the view that it may be worth me buying the best extnesion leads available for my tenants to use in my house. I have heard that the core of the cable and other variables means that all extension leads are not made equal!

Long story long! - I was wondering what are the best extension leads that money can buy?

As a side issue, I am based in the Middle East. However, the property is in the UK. With this in mind it would be great if the extension leads recommended were available to purchase online with delivery to the UK mainland.

Many thanks!

robmar0se

Would these suit a £7.79 ea?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-SurgeMaster-4-Way-1m-Cable/dp/B00009RIP3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329118204&sr=8-2

note the additional protection,

Lifetime £25,000 Connected Equipment Warranty to insure protection for your connected equipment and give you peace of mind

rmg1

Wouldn't it be easier (if not necessarily cheaper) to add in some more wall sockets?
At least then you'd know what wire was being used and then the sockets were properly protected.

googler

rmg1 wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier (if not necessarily cheaper) to add in some more wall sockets?
At least then you'd know what wire was being used and then the sockets were properly protected.

Exactly. Get an electrician to change single sockets to doubles, doubles to triples, and add extras in each room....

Luke_Smith_2

googler wrote: »

Exactly. Get an electrician to change single sockets to doubles, doubles to triples, and add extras in each room....

Due to the construction of the property and the existing wiring the electrician would have to spur from the existing outlet in order to install the new outlet(s). So essentially the installation would be a VERY expensive extension lead.

All of the tenants electrical items are in one corner of the living room (entertainment centre) and there is only a single outlet in that corner.

I do see your point, it would be applicable if there were other outlets in close proximity or if the electrical items could be dispersed around the room.

Thanks for your input

macman

You can swap the existing socket for a double. Why so expensive to run a spur?

rmg1

You could change the existing socket for a double and run a feed to another double from the same cable. Providing all the appliances don't drain too much power, there's no problem.

A decent sparky should be able to do that in less than 2 hours (I could but I'm not officially qualified).

fwor

Luke_Smith wrote: »

The property is rented out to council tenants. Unfortunately, the best value policies exclude coverage for fire damage that is due to the fault of the tenants.

So you've gone for a cheap policy, instead of paying more for cover for fire which is the fault of the tenants?

The problem with this approach is that you can provide all the best electrical fittings you like, but the thing you cannot control is the behaviour of the tenants.

A few years back the entire top floor of my neighbour's house was gutted by a friend of their child who was sleeping over at their house, and that was down to use of candles in the bedroom which the parents did not even know about until it was too late.

Luke_Smith_2

fwor wrote: »

So you've gone for a cheap policy, instead of paying more for cover for fire which is the fault of the tenants?

The problem with this approach is that you can provide all the best electrical fittings you like, but the thing you cannot control is the behaviour of the tenants.

A few years back the entire top floor of my neighbour's house was gutted by a friend of their child who was sleeping over at their house, and that was down to use of candles in the bedroom which the parents did not even know about until it was too late.

Notice my use of the word 'value' as opposed to 'cost'. It was not the cheapest policy, but the most comprehensive in relation to the cost.

To clarify, the policy covers fire. It does not cover fire if the tenant was responsible. I am guessing they are referring to people smoking etc.

I also cant see where in my post I said that it was the tenants fault? There is a possible problem and I am attempting to employ measures to avoid it happening as I am unable to insure against its effects.

I agree that there is very little that can be done to deal with human error. I am guessing that my insurer would not cover me in the example that you provided.

victor2

Put a clause in the tenancy agreement that the tenants are responsible for any damage caused by mis-use of the property, including electrical outlets, therefore their own insurance is advised.
If you want to buy them a decent surge protected extension as a nice gesture, and indication that you are willing to help reduce risks, then do so.