Rent a house, electrics not tested since before I was born?!

LolitaLove

I rent privately, and recently noticed on the fuse box that the date of the last inspection was 1989! The next recommended inspection was 1994. So we're 18 years late to date. I've been renting direct from the landlord for over two years. In that time, not had anyone inspect the electrics. Most of the time it's a massive ordeal to get anything done at all, such as repairs. I usually end up paying out of my own pocket to get them done. Or have mates fix it. How do I go about suggesting the house is tested? I don't feel safe anymore knowing the electrics haven't been inspected for 23 years!

silvercar

There is no requirement in law for the electrics to be tested (unlike for gas), so the landlord does not have a specific obligation.

That said the property needs to be safe, and letting is a business and brings with it obligations. Have you had problems with the electrics?

I suspect many owner occupiers do not have regular checks on their electrics and their fuse boxes pre-date yours. If your fuses require fuse wire replacement rather than flippy switches, i think it reasonable to suggest that your landlord gets it looked at.

G_M

Not every sparkie updates those stickers so it might well not indicate the last inspection was really 1989. As silvercar says, have you actually had electrical problems? Or a reason for concern?

If not, all you can do is ask the LL when the last inspection was, and if he says 1989 then ask him to send a sparkie round.

If you have electrical probs, report them in the normal way.

tbs624

OP - read up on relevant legislation here. Your LL's insurance provider would no doubt be interested if the LL fails to have appropriate checks undertaken from time to time.

If you are concerned about eletrical safety at the property ( or other repairs issues) talk to the Private Setor Tenancy Relations Officer at your local Council.

Note that LLs who are signed up to accreditation schemes and/or listed by Unis etc are usually expected to provide evidence of 5 yearly electrical checks

rentergirl

Google the name Thirza Whittall (who died in a house with defective wiring) and then act, firmly but politely. Try your council's Environmental Health dept.

HappyMJ

There is no requirement to actually electrically test a property as all the articles that rentergirl advises you read mention. No-one can force a landlord to do them.

I would check it yourself at a minimum. Make sure the RCD trips when you press the button and do a visual check on whatever you can see and do not use electrical devices with frayed cords on a wet floor in the bathroom. As above that is the death trap and that is what caused her death.

LolitaLove

HappyMJ wrote: »

There is no requirement to actually electrically test a property as all the articles that rentergirl advises you read mention. No-one can force a landlord to do them.

I would check it yourself at a minimum. Make sure the RCD trips when you press the button and do a visual check on whatever you can see and do not use electrical devices with frayed cords on a wet floor in the bathroom. As above that is the death trap and that is what caused her death.

The RCD does trip, that's why I went to the fuse box - something had blown upstairs, all the lights went off so I needed to flick the switch. It does seem pretty sensitive actually - even if a bulb goes, it trips everything. I had a friend, who is an electrician, check it and he said it was okay. He was here to fix something else that had broken, and he went round with some kind of device and said it was okay. He said there's no way it'd pass though (the house electrics).
We had a situation where the house alarm just kept going off and off, despite having the code put in. Aforementioned friend had to come and sort it after days worth of calls and emails to the landlord. It was annoying, and the neighbours were probably plotting to have me killed - it was constantly alarming, would go off for about half an hour, then re-start again, and the LL did nothing. HOWEVER I am really scared of getting narky with the LL. Someone I know from Uni had a verbal contract that the house, although on a 6 month lease, would be there's for the duration. They ended up getting environmental health in after loads of problems, and their LL was ordered to sort the issues within a certain time frame. Next thing they knew, there was a letter on the mat saying after their 6 month contract ended it would not be renewed. LL said she wanted to sell, but my mate is pretty sure it was down to the environmental health business. So I'm scared I'll get kicked out if I say something

DVardysShadow

tbs624 wrote: »

.... Note that LLs who are signed up to accreditation schemes and/or listed by Unis etc are usually expected to provide evidence of 5 yearly electrical checks

5 yearly electrical checks do not really address electrical safety in the same way that gas safety checks address gas safety.

Most gas problems occur as a result of gradual degradation of some sort. So an annual check and service will tend to address these.

Electrical installations do not degrade in the same way. Either they were never right in the first place or they are degraded by some ill judged repair or improvement - or a change to the plumbing installation resulting in earth bonds being moved.

Even an annual inspection will leave a dangerous situation unchecked and fully potent for 363 days if the plumber inadvertently removes earth bonds 2 days after the annual inspection.

G_M

LolitaLove wrote: »

The RCD does trip, that's why I went to the fuse box - something had blown upstairs, all the lights went off so I needed to flick the switch. It does seem pretty sensitive actually - even if a bulb goes, it trips everything.
Good - it's doing its job and protecting you
I had a friend, who is an electrician, check it and he said it was okay.Good He was here to fix something else that had broken, and he went round with some kind of device and said it was okay. GoodHe said there's no way it'd pass though (the house electrics).Given what he's said above, this only makes sense if he means it would not meet today's building Reg standards. As BR change every year or so, very few properties meet current standards, but as he has said,they are perfectly safe
We had a situation where the house alarm just kept going off and off, despite having the code put in. Aforementioned friend had to come and sort it after days worth of calls and emails to the landlord. It was annoying, and the neighbours were probably plotting to have me killed - it was constantly alarming, would go off for about half an hour, then re-start again, and the LL did nothing.
So there's a faulty alarm. How is that related to an electrical issue or danger?
HOWEVER I am really scared of getting narky with the LL. Someone I know from Uni had a verbal contract that the house, although on a 6 month lease, would be there's for the duration. If their contract was 6 months, that is the guarantee they have. What teancy agreement do you have?
They ended up getting environmental health in after loads of problems, and their LL was ordered to sort the issues within a certain time frame. Next thing they knew, there was a letter on the mat saying after their 6 month contract ended it would not be renewed. Yup - that can happen LL said she wanted to sell, but my mate is pretty sure it was down to the environmental health business. quite likelySo I'm scared I'll get kicked out if I say something

I'm really not sure what your concern is. Sounds to me like the electrics are fine, so why rock the boat?