Any letting agents reading this?

Mozzanov

nick100*2007 wrote: »

trust me, I'm an estate agent....

:rotfl::D:beer:

ValHaller

nick100*2007 wrote: »

If you rent any property or have any buildings to let which you manage then failure to keep your electrical appliances serviced and abiding by the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is considered a criminal offence which could lead to you being fined £5000 per electrical item found to not be under compliance. Failure to comply can also lead to a 6 month prison sentence and the voiding of any property insurance.

As far as I can see, this is a requirement fulfilled by purchasing compliant appliances and inspecting there is no certification requirement that I am aware of.

nick100*2007

Sorry, I think I was getting at Portable Appliance Tests rather than electrical installation certs. My understanding from an agents point of view is that all portable appliances must be tested unless they are less that 12 months old (proved with a receipt). The landlord does not have have the installation tests but if I think there is something not right (visually at least) with the electrics then I would not dream of putting a tenant in there unless the landlord can prove its all ok with the cert.

G_M

nick100*2007 wrote: »

Thank you, whoever started this whole thread was right. We are constantly being slated but we're not ALL bad........trust me, I'm an estate agent....

Thanks for that, and thanks for being brave enough to come forward. This is a pretty 'anti-agent' forum on the whole, so whilst I'll freely admit I'm also no fan (as a LL I believe I can do the job for myself not just cheaper, but better), it's good to hear from a profession that is an integral part of the letting business.

Have to take issue with the wording of your 2 posts:

I know of landlords who have had hefty fines for not having ....elec certs.

No legal requirement for an elec certificate, and no possibility of a penalty for lack of certificate.

failure to keep your electrical appliances serviced and abiding by the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is considered a criminal offence

Different kettle of fish. Yes, electrics, and appliances must be safe. And there are penalties if they are not. But that is not the same as needing a certificate (as you do with gas).

G_M

nick100*2007 wrote: »

My understanding from an agents point of view is that all portable appliances must be tested unless they are less that 12 months old (proved with a receipt). The landlord does not have have the installation tests but if I think there is something not right (visually at least) with the electrics then I would not dream of putting a tenant in there unless the landlord can prove its all ok with the cert.

Why would an agent's point of view differ from a LL's point of view, or, indeed, a tenants? The legal requirement is the same.

However, if your internal agency policy is to require your landlords to provide a certificate, and/or PAT test, that is to your credit.

But not quite the same as the earlier dire threat of prison.....

nick100*2007

I was referring to unsafe appliances that had not been tested. By certificate I meant a copy of the report showing which appliances were tested and are they safe to use. Sorry for confusion!

Mozzanov

nick100*2007 wrote: »

Sorry, I think I was getting at Portable Appliance Tests rather than electrical installation certs. My understanding from an agents point of view is that all portable appliances must be tested unless they are less that 12 months old (proved with a receipt). The landlord does not have have the installation tests but if I think there is something not right (visually at least) with the electrics then I would not dream of putting a tenant in there unless the landlord can prove its all ok with the cert.

For a private rental property (accommodation), the LL is not required to do PAT, but can voluntarily do it. There should be a requirement by law, but isn't (unless it has changed recently). There should be a lot more requirements/regulations, though. There just seems to be little-to-no regulation in this sector, unfortunately.

(Let me just add: a reasonable requirement of the LL regarding electrics. And also add, like G_M, I think it's a Good Thing (tm) if your agency requires some kind of certificates and testing!)

nick100*2007

I thought it was law. I agree that there should be more regulations for private landlords. That's what I mean by peace of mind for tenants.

Mozzanov

Just a requirement in work places. My co-worker even got his charger tested and certified as he had left it plugged in for so long.

Not just LLs, but the rental sector in general. I think G_M posted something recently about a requirement of a breakdown of charges being given at the first viewing (or something like that). It's a step in the right direction. I wonder what would happen if I asked for a breakdown of charges for the LA I'm interested in a property with (waiting to hear back from the LL). They have been helpful and answered questions so far, but "what does this big chunk of cash actually pay for" might not go down too well.

G_M

nick100*2007 wrote: »

I thought it was law. I agree that there should be more regulations for private landlords. That's what I mean by peace of mind for tenants.

Now you are worrying me.

You're a letting agent.

you should know the law relating to letting. Your landlords all assume you do, and rely on you to know.

whilst in this case your cautious requirement for your LLs to have certificates is sensible, I now worry what other aspects of letting law you don't know...

edit: oh dear - I so didn't want to join the agent-bashing in this thread! Don't get scared off. The forum actually needs some agent-input I believe.