Renting house- Electric certificate questions

RHemmings

peter999 wrote: »

The saint has given the best explanation.

Electrical Certificate is not legal requirement (as it is for Gas appliances), but the electrics need to be safe. If the electrics aren't safe, landlord could be for high jump.

Interpretations by every man & their dog are irrelevant.

peter999

The saint has completely missed the point. At least I can see that you have some understanding of what people are saying, as you say "but the electrics need to be safe". That is the crux of the matter which everyone else apart from The saint seems to easily understand.

peter999

RHemmings wrote: »

The saint has completely missed the point. At least I can see that you have some understanding of what people are saying, as you say "but the electrics need to be safe". That is the crux of the matter which everyone else apart from The saint seems to easily understand.

The OP has said he thinks he needs a certificate.
The saint says he doesn't.

There is nothing in OP's post that says the electrics aren't safe, only they don't meet current standards, which is not the same.

Safety of electrics is different issue.

peter999

bonnie_2

I live in council accom, the gas is checked every year, which is legal. The electric has never been checked and councils are sticklers for the law.

Tiger_greeneyes

All this aside, why not get the electrics brought up to scratch for peace of mind? You really can't skimp on the important things like that.

Your house will be more attractive to purchasers and renters, and above all, safe.

Tiger_greeneyes

When I was a landlord, I needed certificates for gas and electrics. I don't know if that's changed in the last year (I sold the house).

real1314

AFAIK the only elec cert that are required are for any portable appliances - e.g washing machine, dishwasher etc. They need an annual PAT test.

Some letting agents ask for an elec cert for the property. You have to wonder if this helps them with the traders they use for this check?

HSE can't sue a Landlord for having a fusebox, even if an incident takes place. Ok, you could get it changed for "peace of mind", along with CO detectors, catches on all kitchen units, stair gates, fire escape ladders, door-stops, foam padded walls, rubber floors etc etc.

stphnstevey

real1314 wrote: »

HSE can't sue a Landlord for having a fusebox, even if an incident takes place.

A tenant could sue a landlord if they are electrocuted or hurt through unsafe electrics in a rented property, particularly if they don't have an RCD fitted (which old fuse boxes don't tend too)

TJ27

I am currently dealing with a case under HMO licensing. I have been chasing the landlord/agent to provide me with, among other things, a PIR elec certificate for about six months. The case was being considered for prosecution.

A few weeks ago there was an electrical fire in one of the bedrooms. That event, followed by a stern phone call from me, prompted the agent to get an electrical test done immediately and I received the certificate last week. The installation failed on many counts, including several "code 1" faults.

I'm told that the electrician is rewiring the house this week, including fitting a proper fire alarm. There was no hard wired fire alarm fitted previously and the few battery operated detectors present failed to work. Luckily nobody was injured or killed.

Landlords and agents constantly tell me that electricians can't be found for love nor money, yet when a fire actually happens and they are threatened with prosecution they get one around the house within a few hours.

BTman

I can see both arguments..

TheSaint is correct and you do not need a certificate, and an old style fusebox is safe providing the wiring and fittings are up to scratch.
BUT, as RHemmings states a good landlord should have it replaced and the electrics checked and updated to modern specs.

After all, I'm sure no landlord would want the death of their tenants and their kids on their conscience...

Tiger_greeneyes

BTman wrote: »

I can see both arguments..

TheSaint is correct and you do not need a certificate, and an old style fusebox is safe providing the wiring and fittings are up to scratch.
BUT, as RHemmings states a good landlord should have it replaced and the electrics checked and updated to modern specs.

After all, I'm sure no landlord would want the death of their tenants and their kids on their conscience...

I agree BTman, the tenants are going to be paying the OP rent, it's only fair they should be kept safe, at the end of the day. Once it's up to current regulations then that's it for something like 20 years.