A few queries on letting a flat...

Soldierearth54

Hi,


Is legally required that you conduct an electrical safety check? One letting agent tells me it is but another tells me it is not...


Sam for PAT testing of any appliances left behind. Is this legally required?


Who do I get to conduct an Energy Performance Check/certificate?


Is landlord rental protection insurance worth they money ie do the pay like they say they do or do they try and wriggle out of it like other insurers? Also does £100 per year sound reasonable for this?


Thanks,

Owain_Moneysaver

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) are not required, unless your local authority has implemented additional requirements for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and this applies to you.

However you have a responsibility to your tenants to ensure that the wiring and any appliances you provide are safe, and EICR/PAT provides evidence of this.

For EPC try a local surveyor or one of the online firms, usually about £50.

Soldierearth54

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) are not required, unless your local authority has implemented additional requirements for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and this applies to you.

However you have a responsibility to your tenants to ensure that the wiring and any appliances you provide are safe, and EICR/PAT provides evidence of this.

For EPC try a local surveyor or one of the online firms, usually about £50.

Thanks.


My property isn't an HMO so I'm okay there.


That sound like a grey area to say it is only required in MHO but I then have a responsibility to ensure appliances are safe. Is this responsibility legal or not?


I can get it done for £2.50 per appliance so finances aren't an issue, I'm just keen to know what my legal responsibilities are.


Thanks on the EPC.

Pixie5740

Might be worth joining a landlords association then. I'm sure GM will be along with some useful links.

Owain_Moneysaver

mickp67 wrote: »

I then have a responsibility to ensure appliances are safe. Is this responsibility legal or not?

Yes, under common law you have a duty of care to your tenants. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, The Housing Act 2004, The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994, both of which come under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, there is an obligation to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe.

Failure to comply with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and the The Consumer Protection Act 1987 is a criminal offence and may result in a fine of £5,000 per item not complying,
Six month’s imprisonment, Possible manslaughter charges in the event of deaths.
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/content/electrical-safety

anselld

As Owain has said, it is your legal responsibility to ensure the electrical installation and appliances are safe. You can either rely on your own know how or pay a professional, up to you.

G_M

As others have said above....

Unrelated but maybe helpful:

[FONT=&quot]New Landlords[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (information for new or prospective landlords)[/FONT] (NB. Link to ESC added)

[FONT=&quot]Letting Agents [/FONT][FONT=&quot](Tips for selecting, and tips for sacking them)[/FONT]

HSE (Gas Safety Certificate rules)

EPC (Energy Performance Certificate rules)

Find a Domestic Energy Assessor