Electrical Items

moneybunny123

Hi everyone. I put a thread on earlier about my FIL having just moved into a very dirty rental property (amongst other problems).

I've just had a thorough read of his inventory, and noticed that none of the electrical items have been tested (kettle, microwave, fridge, freezer, oven, hob, and washing machine).

I have just done a quick search on here to see if LL's have a legal obligation to test electrical equipment and have found contradictory information. Some say yes, others say no.

Which is it?

G_M

No.

Why start a new thread. See here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4312139

Mercurial

There is no need. I just replace items whenever they stop working and my tenants over the years have never questioned this.

G_M

Mercurial wrote: »

There is no need. I just replace items whenever they stop working and my tenants over the years have never questioned this.

An interesting approach!

I keep the tenant's depsoit under my matress and my tenants over the years have never questioned this!

But in fact, as said, elecrical PAT testing is not a requirement.

There IS a requirement that all electrical items are safe.

tbs624

Have instruction manuals been provided for any of the items?

Clear guidance for LLs on their obligations on electrical safety/ the duty of care owed to their Ts etc is provided here

Related article from Inside Housing here

moneybunny123

tbs624 wrote: »

Have instruction manuals been provided for any of the items?

No, not for anything. This was another of his complaints (that have since got him into 'trouble' with the LA and LL)...there isn't a single intruction manual for anything. Not the heating/hot water controls, fridge, washing machine, nothing.

tbs624

They are clearly unprofessional, LA and LL alike: it is in a LL's own interests that a T knows how to safely operate items provided by the LL and how to safely deal with minor "troubleshooting" when necessary.
Intelligent LLs keep the originals themselves and make sure that the tenanted property has a complete photocopied set available from the start of the tenancy.

For your FiL's sake can a member of the family go online and find copies of the manuals? He ought to be testing that each appliance runs as it should do and be notifying the LL/LA of any faults. What does the tenancy agreement say, btw, about LL responsibility for repairs/replacements of such items?

You may want to check whether the LA is mentioned at https://www.allagents.co.uk

moneybunny123

tbs624 wrote: »

They are clearly unprofessional, LA and LL alike: it is in a LL's own interests that a T knows how to safely operate items provided by the LL and how to safely deal with minor "troubleshooting" when necessary.
Intelligent LLs keep the originals themselves and make sure that the tenanted property has a complete photocopied set available from the start of the tenancy.

For your FiL's sake can a member of the family go online and find copies of the manuals? He ought to be testing that each appliance runs as it should do and be notifying the LL/LA of any faults. What does the tenancy agreement say, btw, about LL responsibility for repairs/replacements of such items?

You may want to check whether the LA is mentioned at www.allagents.co.uk

Yes, they're on there. I feel sorry for my FIL. Yes, he IS a moaner and will always find a negative in any situation to moan about, but I do think most of it is justified in this case. The LL and LA already have him down as a trouble maker and I'll eat my hat if his tenancy is renewed at the end of 6 months. He's only in rented accommodation after his relationship broke down with his partner of 20 years and can't afford to buy anywhere. Getting social housing is as easy as finding unicorn dung, and he has pets, so getting rented accommodation was a mission in itself. If he has to move again in 6 months, I fear it could kill him.