Advice needed re: ancient fuse box in rental property

Playhouse

I am looking at rental properties due to the breakdown of my marriage.

I have found what appears to be the perfect property, LL is a BTL LL and is gutting the house ready for new tenants. It has been decorated throughout,brand new boiler,new windows etc. However, I went to visit the property to hand over the holding deposit and asked the location of the meter boxes.
To my horror I saw that the original meter is still in place although not an issue really, but the original bakalite fuse box is still in place:eek:

I asked LL if she planned to change the fuse box and she said no, her sparky had declared it safe, but Im very worried as my understanding is that these ancient fuse boxes are not as safe as they have no RCD, also she is having new electrical items wired in such as kitchen appliances, smoke alarms, fireplace and shower and Im really concerned that the old fuse box wont cope. I suspect the wiring is original too as there are old redundant round pin sockets in situ. Any advice greatly appreciated as I really dont want to endanger my children and Im worried about safety

Playhouse

does anyone have any idea?

DVardysShadow

You really cannot judge an electrical installation from superficial appearances. My parents have a [brown, the worst sort] bakelite fusebox dating from 1957. However, it was upgraded in about 1972 with cartridge fuses to replace the old rewireable fuses. This fusebox is adequate for the job and as capable of clearing faults as a modern circuit breaker installation - better in fact, because you throw the blown cartridge fuse away. Their installation could be substantially more safe than a poorly installed system with modern circuit breakers

As for the round pin sockets, they may be disconnected and just left in position to avoid disturbing decoration.

I will agree with you that an RCD is desirable. If you touch metal work which becomes live, the RCD will shut off the supply if the current through you reaches a slightly dangerous level. But more important than the RCD is the earth bonding. If metalwork becomes live, bonding will normally make sure that a fuse will blow before anyone touches it - or at least ensure that no dangerous current flows through a person in contact.

The point I am trying to make is that the criteria on which you are judging the installation are superficial - did you actually check the earth bonds? And that as someone once said, when you strain out a gnat, you actually swallow a camel

Hump

If a qualified electrician says it's safe, then it's safe - you could ask to see the electrician's report. There's bound to be a sparky lurking on the forum - however for what it's worth my last electrician suggested that a system protected by a RCD was recommended for certain circuits - in particular for electric showers. Apparently the regulations change every couple of years but don't apply retrospectively meaning that your landlord would probably only have to upgrade the system if it's deemed unsafe or is being modified.

C_Mababejive

If she has had it checked then thats enough.

You cannot force a LL to do improvements simply becuase you want them. If a property doesnt suit,you must vote with your feet when the lease is up.

G_M

As said, just because it's an old fuse box does not make it dangerous. I drive an 'old' (1986) car. OK brakes etc are not like modern cars, but it passes its MOT and drives (and stops!) like a dream.

If it uses fuses wire, the wire will burn through as designed and cu off power in an emergency. OK - and RCD is more convenient and can be easily switched back on (as opposed to inserting new wire), but as said above, it may have been converted to take cartridges.

Round pin sockets? Are these the only sockets? If so, I'd share your concern. But I bet there are modern square ones too, in which case as suggested above the chances are the round ones are not live, just left in situ.

But if you have real concerns either ask to see the sparkies report/invoice/Building Control certificate when he's finished work, or pay for an inspection report yourself when you move in. It will either say "all safe" in which case you've paid for peace of mind, or it will throw up issues which you can then legitimately take to the LL.

Playhouse

Thanks everyone-and no there arent just round pin sockets obviously, otherwise nothing would be plugged in I guess! unless you had some very old electrical equipment.
The house is the same age as me (40) and it appears to be the original fuse box, I have not checked the earth bond yet but would want to do so.

The work is stuff she doesnt need to have signed off as far as Im aware, but there will be a new electric shower,cooker, hob and extractor hood and wall mounted fire, plus electric smoke detectors and my question was not, can I ask her to get rid because I dont like it, but is it safe? especially with new electrical appliances wired into the system.
There is no inspection report, her sparky has "looked" and said its fine. My understanding is that there wont be an inspection on the finished electrical works-should there be? and yes Im happy to pay for a report myself, I have a small toddler and other children and their safety is paramount. I understand that old fuses do not trip or blow as quickly as modern RCD's which is the risk factor

Playhouse

and yes, it is the old style fuse wire blocks..because I pulled one out

sharpee

Just because it is old doesn't mean it isn't safe.

Playhouse

C_Mababejive wrote: »

If she has had it checked then thats enough.

You cannot force a LL to do improvements simply becuase you want them. If a property doesnt suit,you must vote with your feet when the lease is up.

That wasnt at all was I suggesting, I have been renting for some time and certainly would not insist that a LL carried out improvements just because I wanted them too, but I do expect them to carry out improvements to something that is unsafe (if it is deemed to be) which Im trying to clarify

Playhouse

Hump wrote: »

If a qualified electrician says it's safe, then it's safe - you could ask to see the electrician's report. There's bound to be a sparky lurking on the forum - however for what it's worth my last electrician suggested that a system protected by a RCD was recommended for certain circuits - in particular for electric showers. Apparently the regulations change every couple of years but don't apply retrospectively meaning that your landlord would probably only have to upgrade the system if it's deemed unsafe or is being modified.

an electrical shower is one thing being installed, plus smoke alarms which is why I asked the question, sadly no report to see