Environmental Health Inspection. Can LA insist on being here?

anselld

Category 1 hazards require immediate attention.
The enforcement notice will depend on the EHO view but will probably be fairly imminent. 48 hours is not unheard of depending on the EHO.

You should get a letter confirming the exact findings and action required. Make sure you keep reporting if action does not happen in the timescale.

The LL comments are ridiculous. Electrics must be safe wherever they are installed.

jayms1

Thanks, anselld. Good point about the electrics. I must say, I'm a bit worried he's going to come in and have another bash at the electrics himself. Yikes!

propertyman

jayms1 wrote: »

Thanks, anselld. Good point about the electrics. I must say, I'm a bit worried he's going to come in and have another bash at the electrics himself. Yikes!

Well he can't "have a bash" as they will require building regs approvals and certification to satisfy the EHO.

jayms1

propertyman wrote: »

Well he can't "have a bash" as they will require building regs approvals and certification to satisfy the EHO.

I'm having a blonde moment, propertyman - what does that mean exactly? That they will require an appropriately qualified person to do the work?

G_M

jayms1 wrote: »

I'm having a blonde moment, propertyman - what does that mean exactly? That they will require an appropriately qualified person to do the work?

Works to electrics are strictly defined as to those which a householder/owner can DIY, and those that require Building Regulations certificates. From what you've said, the type of work required will require BR certs.

BR Certs can be issued either
* by the council, who send round an inspector (at huge cost!) to examine/check the work before issuing a certificate or
* (and this is the usual solution) by having the work done by a qualified, professional electrician who is authorised to approve the issuing of the certificate.

If the LL does a bodge job, he'll have to get it inspected/checked which will cost him, AND if he's bodged it, he'll have to start the work again!

Werdnal

Just out of interest, do you have any literature or marketing info from when you took the property. What were the "garage" rooms described as in that?

jayms1

Werdnal wrote: »

Just out of interest, do you have any literature or marketing info from when you took the property. What were the "garage" rooms described as in that?

Lists the garage as 'converted' and a utility room, Werdnal.

Road_Hog

G_M wrote: »

better to change the lock in advance so they cannot let themselves in

Is that legal?

And if it is, is that good advice?

anselld

Road_Hog wrote: »

Is that legal?

And if it is, is that good advice?

Yes and yes. It is only the barrel which is changed. The original should be retained and refitted at the end of tenancy. The T is entitled to protect their right to quiet enjoyment of their property (for the duration of tenancy)

theartfullodger

jayms1 wrote: »

Had the inspection this morning. Two people from the LA turned up but we didn't give them access. They didn't object and posted a rather nasty letter from the landlord, which was to be expected. He also included a 2nd letter indicating that he was putting the house up for sale. Not my concern at all but his timing was a bit obvious.

The Inspector was excellent and very thorough. He noted issues we hadn't even noticed. It wasn't just the electrics he was concerned about. Let's say he wasn't impressed!! I'm a bit confused though - he mentioned category 1 hazards and an enforcement notice (?) but was going back to his boss first. So I'm not sure of the timeline and what not.

I'm already packing up anyway. I've had enough and will find somewhere else. The thing that has upset me most is that the Landlord is now lying. He says that the Garage Conversion which contains a utility room and office, where the dangerous electrics are located, were never designed for those uses! Complete fabrication. What were the office and utility room designed for then?!

I was nervous about calling in the Environmental Health but I feel I did the right thing. Frankly, he's the kind of person who gives landlords a bad name.

Well done jayms1: You did the right thing & all decent people (tenant, landlord, agent.. - I happen to be a landlord - ) will I'm sure be on your side.. Even if you leave hopefully these cowboys (agent & LL..) will have to get things fixed and perhaps will have learned something (well.. we can hope eh??)

Best wishes & have a lovely Xmas & don't let the b****ards get you down!!!