Letting - Electric Shower Replacement - which trade?

mgarl10024

Hi,

I'm pretty new to letting, so am still working through the basic questions.

In the property I let out, there is an electric shower which runs off the cold mains water supply.

When this fails (as they do every few years in my experience), and I replace like for like, bearing in mind safety and liability, who do I get to do this? An electrician, a plumber, or both?

- A Plumber? Assuming that my plumbing skills aren't up to the job (they probably aren't) and I would just like it sorted quickly (as would the tenants), I would probably get in a plumber.

- An electrician? Before letting the property, I had an electrician give me a electrical safety certificate, as while I realise this is not essential, it provides some reassurance for both me and the tenants. If I disconnect and reconnect the shower, albeit it a minor job, I wonder if I have opened myself up to liability should something happen? I'm especially concerned as the bathroom is a "special location" for electrics.
That said, seems bonkers to get an electrician in for such a minor job. Is the plumber allowed/qualified/certified to touch the electrical supply?

What do the experienced landlords on here do?

Thanks,

jjlandlord

If it is a like for like replacement, a plumber should do if he agrees.
A plumber is not qualified or certified to carry out electrical work.

Otherwise, or if you want to be on the safe side, you should have a plumber replace the shower (or you do it yourself), and then get an electrician to connect it and check the circuit, RCD, etc. (and to issue a certificate).

It would be a 30 minute job for an electrician, so wouldn't cost much and would give you confidence and a good sleep at night.
I mean, it's a 40 amps connection (likely the biggest circuit in the house) and it goes straight into the shower...

Like for like replacement is the one case where you do not have to use a certified electrician, or to notify council, for work in a special location, as I understand the regulations (I am not an expert).

agrinnall

While I hate to disagree with jj, I would choose an electrician rather than a plumber.

I have done a like-for-like replacement at home and both the electrical and plumbing tasks were very straightforward. But in a rental property I'd want the electrical stuff done by somebody who can do the tests and has liability insurance, and the disconnecting and reconnecting of the water can either be done by the electrician or by the OP.

jjlandlord

agrinnall wrote: »

But in a rental property I'd want the electrical stuff done by somebody who can do the tests and has liability insurance.

I agree! And that was I suggested as the best route, though not required (as I understand it)

Do you think the electrician would agree, or be able to do the plumbing part, though? (Well, I guess that's a question to ask directly )

DaftyDuck

Most electricians have an association with other trades - they call on them when needed. As the electrician would be the one signing off on it, I'd rather contract him to do the job, and let him sort out the plumber.

Both electricians I have used sourced good plumbers (and plasterers and the like). I guess they commonly do this when they organise complete rewires and the like.

So, call electrician, let him sort out subcontracting if he feels the need.

anselld

A plumber who is Part P qualified. Plumbers often need to fit electricals for boilers, heating controls, showers etc, so many are qualified to do minor electrical work. Most electricians, however, don't do plumbing.

kadwick

if you are replacing the shower like for like a certificate wont need to be issued as it comes under maintenance work.

i would probably say a plumber would be your best bet as the water connections would need to be checked as long as the plumber has his part p he should be able to do it

Building_Surveyor

Get a suitably qualified multi trade operative.

mgarl10024

Hi all,

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

I never considered that one trade might know another and so might work together, or that you had multi-trade operatives. Both now seem obvious, but I wouldn't have known without your answers.

Thanks again,

securityman

If you can find the same one still for sale, it might be worth buying one before they change the design. A very easy job that you could do you self then.